Export Quality Management training for the Pacific food sector

Export Quality Management is important for food exporters to ensure compliance with international standards, improve product quality, gain access to new markets, protect their reputation, and achieve operational efficiency and cost savings.

Along with relevant quality infrastructure organisations (NQI institutes), and Business Support Organisations (BSOs), we contributed to a four-day virtual training session for exporters from the Pacific region with a focus on cassava, coconut milk and cream, kava, and seafood.

We provided virtual workshops to train (potential) exporters from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and other Pacific islands. The workshops focused on helping participants gain a head-start in accessing the Australian and New Zealand markets, which are the primary export destinations for the Pacific region. Over 20 attendees received training on market access requirements specific to their products, learning the intricacies of exporting to these markets. Among others, we trained them on the subjects below:

• Technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, code of conduct, and codex standards.
• In-depth information about the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (ANZFSC).
• Relevant standards & manufacturing and hygiene practices: ISO 9001, GMP, GHP, HACCP, and ISO 14001

Activities

We prepared custom training materials for the cassava, coconut, kava, and seafood sector. During the four-day virtual workshop, we guided the participants in:

• Identifying the main quality standards impacting their export potential.
• Finding and using key sources of relevant information on quality standards.
• Evaluating their current status.
• Gaining practical experience in leveraging quality infrastructure and business support networks to their advantage.

This course is supported by several materials, which are all integrated:

• PowerPoint presentations with explanations.
• Quicks polls and assignments to practice and test the learnings.
• Digital PTB Export Quality Management guide.
• Kahoot learning game.

Results

The workshops enabled participants to enhance their knowledge of export market requirements, including an introduction to tools for obtaining information on these requirements. In addition, the trainers provided guidance on legal and regulatory issues that are specific to exporting to Australia and New Zealand.

By bringing together relevant BSOs and NQI institutes from the Pacific region, the workshop fostered collaboration and allowed participants to gain a better understanding of how they can support each other and the private sector in the region.