The importance of non-tariff measures for African Agricultural and Food Trade to the EU. Evidence from selected countries

This report presents the results of a survey collected in 2009 amongst African exporters of agricultural commodities to the EU. Exporters interviewed come from five African countries: Uganda, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya and Ivory Coast. The survey covers a total of 95 interviews, 20 from each of the following countries – Uganda, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya – and 15 from Ivory Coast. The exporters were carefully selected by the team’s local experts taking into account two conditions: (i) the questionnaires had be completed by the respondent, in due time, and with enough detail to allow for a quality analysis; and (ii) the group of exporters selected had to represent the largest possible array of main commodities exported by the respective country. Thus, the sample represents nearly 70% of the major importers in each of the selected countries. The survey focused on the collection of information on exporter characteristics and NTM incidence and their impact on export flows. Information on business' characteristics refers to exporters' characteristics (years in business, annual revenues from exports, % of export values going to the EU; and top EU export markets) and trade characteristics (type of contract signed, means of transportation of commodities, export packaging). Information collected on NTM incidence refers to possible measures which might be affecting trade flows to the EU and their impact, whether this is positive or negative for export flows (NTM addressed for each product are displayed in Annex A).