Between public and private requirements: challenges and opportunities for the export of tropical fruits from developing countries to the EU

The export of tropical fruits from developing countries (DCs) to the European Union (EU) offers significant economic and social gains. Food scares over the last two decades in industrialised countries have led to increasingly stringent food safety regulations. Consumers’ concerns about the safety and quality of food have also influenced the private sector, which has developed numerous standards for imported fruits sold in supermarkets. In addition to EU regulations, developing countries (DCs) have also to comply with the evolving ‘voluntary’ requirements imposed by private companies in order to participate in value chains. Consequently, the export of tropical fruits from DCs are affected by food safety regulations and standards imposed by both EU governmental and non-governmental actors. With food safety being a top priority for both the public and private sectors, there is a need to examine the development of these requirements as applied to tropical fruits. Therefore, this chapter critically analyses, from a legal perspective, the issues of exporting tropical fruits to the EU market.