TANZANIA - Tanzanian President John Magufuli has officially announced that the government would buy all cashew nuts from farmers at about US$1.44 (3,300 Tanzanian shillings) a kilogram. This was after private buyers were reluctant to buy the crop due to disagreement in purchase prices. To support implementation of the directive, President Magufuli directed the Tanzania…
ETHIOPIA – Iodized-salt producing companies in Ethiopia have established a new association in bid to help combat iodine deficiency in the country. According to AddisFortune, the association was formed by the Ethiopian Food, Beverage, & Pharmaceutical Industry Development Institute. The Ethiopian Iodized Salt Producers Association, made of close to 15 salt producers plans to introduce…
MALAYSIA – Malaysia is set to introduce a tax on ‘high sugar’ beverages including juices and soft drinks effective 1 April 2019 to help address the country’s levels of obesity and sugar related diseases. Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the government will introduce an excise duty of MYR 0.40 ($0.10) on beverages containing…
USA - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation into the prevalence and severity of sesame allergies in the United States with a possible consideration for a requirement to label sesame as an allergen on packaged foods. Sesame is not required to be disclosed as an allergen, and in some circumstances,…
UK – United Kingdom Chancellor Phillip Hammond has announced that duty tax on wine will increase while that on beer, spirits and cider would remain the same in line with the rate of inflation, effective 1 February 2019. Duties on beer and spirits will remain at the same level as last year in a bid…
SOUTH AFRICA – The Competition Commission has said that Karan Beef’s collusion fine may unlikely affect its buyout deal with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), reports Business Day. “In no way does this investigation into Karan Beef and the fine affect the PIC’s deal with Karan Beef,” said David Maimela, the commission’s acting chief of…
ZIMBABWE - Grain Millers' Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has faulted attempt by bakers to increase the price of bread, saying that the attempt was not justified by a rise in the cost of wheat. According to the Herald, bakeries sought to double the bread price from US$1.10 to US$2.20 citing rising costs of inputs. Media…
TANZANIA - Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) plans to remove unnecessary food and drug clearance procedures at the Dar es Salaam port to ease the burden of storage fees incurred by business people. The authorities are seeking to enhance efficient business environment and address concerns from members who complained of unnecessary bureaucracy in cargo clearance…
ZIMBABWE - The spreads and nuts company, Associated Foods of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has implemented ISO 22 000 food safety management system to enhance conformity to international standards with an eye on the export market. The certification not only provides assurance of product quality but also gives its Farmgold and Mama’s brands a better competitive edge…
TANZANIA - Bakhresa Group which operates one of the largest flour mill in Tanzania has suspended Kenya flour exports on changing rules and systems for exporting goods into the country. The company said frequent changes in tax rules, instituted by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have slowed its exports to Kenya and led to losses…
