Workshop Report March 13-15, 2007
by Aziz Sbai and Rachid Hamimaz AV Hassan II and Targa-Aide, Anne-Chohin-Kuper Consultant with Felicity Proctor Natural Resources Institute, Greenwich University, UK and Sonja Vermeulen International Institute for Environment and Development
]]>Workshop Report March 13-15, 2007
by Aziz Sbai and Rachid Hamimaz AV Hassan II and Targa-Aide, Anne-Chohin-Kuper Consultant with Felicity Proctor Natural Resources Institute, Greenwich University, UK and Sonja Vermeulen International Institute for Environment and Development
Submitted by Targa-Aide
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Final workshop report March 19 - 21, 2008
]]>Final workshop report March 19 - 21, 2008
by Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Nguyen Anh Phong, Nguyen Que Nga, Pham Lien Phuong Center for Agricultural Policy, Vietnam and Felicity Proctor Felicity Proctor Consulting Ltd and Visiting Fellow of the International Institute for Environment and Development, UK and Larry Digal University of the Philippines Mindanao Foundation, Philippines
Submitted by Center for Agricultural Policy, Vietnam
Workshop Summary
A Policy and Institutional Mapping Workshop was held in Vietnam during March 19-21, 2008 to bring together producers, processors, major wholesalers and traders, representatives of different associations (farmer, trade and consumers) to discuss emerging issues to enhance the participation of small-scale producers in the modern agri-markets. Vietnam has been undergoing changes in the modern agri-food markets where the number and size of supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores and fastfood outlets have increased substantially for the last few years. These open great opportunities for small scale producers but at the same time, increasingly exposed challenges to meet strict requirements of these modern outlets in terms of quality, investment, volume, variety and timing. Vietnam's access into WTO, more than ever before, put a big burden on the agri-food sector and policy makers on how to take advantage and maximise benefits as well as minimize losses from a very competitive globalised market. The case of pig sector was selected to be a special focus for value chain mapping exercise in the first day as it has been experiencing a difficult period due to high production cost, small scale and disperse production scale and poor product quality as well as its increasing contribution to total agricultural GDP. A three-day stakeholder workshop consisted of a so-called producer workshop (day 1), a modern market chain workshop (day 2) and finally a multi-stakeholder workshop (day 3). The first day of the workshop focused on the small-producer, particularly pig farmers, identified opportunities and problems and solutions for them to meet these challenges. In the second day, representatives of private sector including food processors, traders, wholesalers, food companies were involved. Here, policies and institutions that affect inclusion of small-scale producers in the modern sector were discussed. Key issues collected from the first two days were presented by Dr. Nguyen Anh Phong in the final day of the workshop. Comments and feedback from participants were raised and experience from their practical work was shared. Participatory tools such as value chain, problem and solution tree analysis that help capture the key problems and solutions that come from different market actors were used as an overall strategy. After each day of the workshop, the team had a short meeting in the afternoon to discuss the tools used and adjust methodologies to meet with the current circumstances. Clearly, the interaction of various stakeholders in the three-day workshop produced active discussions on key issues facilitated by a participatory process that made use of visual techniques. But more importantly, there were options and entry points identified for the different participants in
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Growing levels of urbanisation and an expanding middle class in many African economies hint at the massive potential for formal retail. However the difficulties associated with doing business on the continent may still deter leading groups
There are few companies whose brands have become shorthand for their sector as powerfully as Walmart. When the giant tabled a bid for South Africa's Massmart Holdings this September, it seemed a powerful endorsement of sub- Saharan Africa's latent potential for formal retail. Fast urbanisation rates, expanding labour forces and growing middle classes in many African economies provide compelling arguments for the rapid expansion of the sector across the continent.
]]>Growing levels of urbanisation and an expanding middle class in many African economies hint at the massive potential for formal retail. However the difficulties associated with doing business on the continent may still deter leading groups
There are few companies whose brands have become shorthand for their sector as powerfully as Walmart. When the giant tabled a bid for South Africa's Massmart Holdings this September, it seemed a powerful endorsement of sub- Saharan Africa's latent potential for formal retail. Fast urbanisation rates, expanding labour forces and growing middle classes in many African economies provide compelling arguments for the rapid expansion of the sector across the continent. Supply-side and infrastructure issues make much of the continent a challenging operating environment, and it may be some time before another global player follows Walmart's example and buys in. However, local groups are already pushing across borders to capitalise on building demand.
Full article at http://www.thisisafricaonline.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/252/The_rise_of_formal_retail.html
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Project of ASEAN Foundation and AsiaDHRRA focused on building the capacity of women and men leaders of small farmers' organization and cooperatives together with their partner NGOs/agri-agencies to respond to agricultural marketing issues confronted by small farmers and producers. It also undertook the formation of marketing intermediation mechanisms that link small farmers to the market to lessen the transaction cost and increase the benefit of the small farmers in the process of engaging with the market.
]]>Project of ASEAN Foundation and AsiaDHRRA focused on building the capacity of women and men leaders of small farmers' organization and cooperatives together with their partner NGOs/agri-agencies to respond to agricultural marketing issues confronted by small farmers and producers. It also undertook the formation of marketing intermediation mechanisms that link small farmers to the market to lessen the transaction cost and increase the benefit of the small farmers in the process of engaging with the market.
http://www.smallfarmerstomarket.net
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2008, Asian Partnmership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA) and ASEAN Foundation. Quezon City, Philippines
]]>2008, Asian Partnmership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA) and ASEAN Foundation. Quezon City, Philippines
Compilation of Market Mapping from Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam
Available for free download at http://www.smallfarmerstomarket.net
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2008, Asian Partnmership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA) and ASEAN Foundation. Quezon City, Philippines
]]>2008, Asian Partnmership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA) and ASEAN Foundation. Quezon City, Philippines
Compilation of the value chain analysis reports from Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam
Available for free download at http://www.smallfarmerstomarket.net/publications
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Demand for quality food is growing constantly in developing countries. Small-scale producers are not always able to take advantage of these outlets. Based on projects in Vietnam, issue 5 of Cirad's Perspective makes proposals aimed at remedying matters.
Over the past 20 years or so, the Vietnamese have been expressing their concerns about and interest in healthy, tasty food. The government has been very active: it has passed laws, drawn up standards and organized training courses. However, small-scale producers are finding it hard to access these quality chains. Based on two projects in Vietnam, Paule Moustier and Dao The Anh suggest ways of associating such producers, centring on supporting the various players, promoting information within supply chains, and encouraging producers to organize themselves. Combining public regulation and private regulation looks to be a promising approach.
Demand for quality food is growing constantly in developing countries. Small-scale producers are not always able to take advantage of these outlets. Based on projects in Vietnam, issue 5 of Cirad's Perspective makes proposals aimed at remedying matters.
Over the past 20 years or so, the Vietnamese have been expressing their concerns about and interest in healthy, tasty food. The government has been very active: it has passed laws, drawn up standards and organized training courses. However, small-scale producers are finding it hard to access these quality chains.
Based on two projects in Vietnam, Paule Moustier and Dao The Anh suggest ways of associating such producers, centring on supporting the various players, promoting information within supply chains, and encouraging producers to organize themselves. Combining public regulation and private regulation looks to be a promising approach.
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Wal-Mart Stores announced a program on Thursday that would focus on sustainable agriculture among its suppliers, as the retail giant tries to expand its efforts to improve environmental efficiency among its suppliers.
]]>Wal-Mart Stores announced a program on Thursday that would focus on sustainable agriculture among its suppliers, as the retail giant tries to expand its efforts to improve environmental efficiency among its suppliers.
In emerging markets, Wal-Mart has pledged to sell $1 billion of food from small and medium farmers (which it defines as farmers with fewer than 20 hectares or about 50 acres). It will also provide training for the farmers and their laborers on how to choose crops that are in demand as well as the proper application of water and pesticides.
Full story at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/business/15walmart.html?_r=1&hp
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Indian joint venture operation Bharti Walmart has called for the Indian government to remove restrictions allowing FDI-backed wholesale firms to sell no more than 25% of their total turnover to a group retailer. The latest relaxation in FDI rules by the government lifted restrictions on products being sold only for internal use. However, Bharti Walmart Chairman Rajan Bharti Mittal said that this was only "half the job done" and told reporters that the group had written to the finance ministry demanding the removal of the 25% cap.
]]>Indian joint venture operation Bharti Walmart has called for the Indian government to remove restrictions allowing FDI-backed wholesale firms to sell no more than 25% of their total turnover to a group retailer. The latest relaxation in FDI rules by the government lifted restrictions on products being sold only for internal use. However, Bharti Walmart Chairman Rajan Bharti Mittal said that this was only "half the job done" and told reporters that the group had written to the finance ministry demanding the removal of the 25% cap.
The latest relaxation in legislation will go some way to making a difference as, under the new rule, Bharti Retail will be able to sell products sourced from Walmart at its ‘easyday' hypermarkets and neighbourhood stores.
Meanwhile, Bharti Walmart said that it will continue to expand its Best Price Modern Wholesale chain of cash & carry stores. Managing Director and CEO Raj Jain confirmed that the joint venture company expected to open 12-15 stores by March next year, up from three stores at present. When the joint venture was initially set up in 2007 the plan was to set up 15 stores within five years. Jain said: "By March next year the intention is to have up to 12-15 stores. The number is much more than what was originally planned."
Copyright www.planetretail.net
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Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is planning a major move into the fast-expanding African market, announcing today that it is in talks to buy South Africa's third-largest retailer, Massmart.
]]>Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is planning a major move into the fast-expanding African market, announcing today that it is in talks to buy South Africa's third-largest retailer, Massmart.
The move, which would be worth $4.2bn (£2.65bn), will be overseen by Asda's chairman, Andy Bond, who is responsible for operations in Africa. Wal-Mart is offering 148 rand (£13.40) a share for Massmart, which is nearly 10% higher than its last closing price.
The acquisition would be Africa's biggest deal in more than a decade, and Wal-Mart's largest since it bought the UK supermarket chain Asda in 1999.
Bond said: "South Africa presents a compelling growth opportunity for Wal-Mart and offers a platform for growth and expansion in other African countries. South Africa possesses attractive market dynamics, favourable demographic trends and a growing economy."
He said Wal-Mart supported Massmart's black economic empowerment programme and would aim to be a "corporate and retail role model".
Full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/27/wal-mart-talks-buy-south-africa-massmart
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Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is planning a major move into the fast-expanding African market, announcing today that it is in talks to buy South Africa's third-largest retailer, Massmart.
]]>Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is planning a major move into the fast-expanding African market, announcing today that it is in talks to buy South Africa's third-largest retailer, Massmart.
The move, which would be worth $4.2bn (£2.65bn), will be overseen by Asda's chairman, Andy Bond, who is responsible for operations in Africa. Wal-Mart is offering 148 rand (£13.40) a share for Massmart, which is nearly 10% higher than its last closing price.
The acquisition would be Africa's biggest deal in more than a decade, and Wal-Mart's largest since it bought the UK supermarket chain Asda in 1999. In May, it agreed to acquire 194 stores in the UK from the Danish discount chain Netto for nearly £800m, although competition regulators are forcing it to sell 25% of the shops.
Bond said: "South Africa presents a compelling growth opportunity for Wal-Mart and offers a platform for growth and expansion in other African countries. South Africa possesses attractive market dynamics, favourable demographic trends and a growing economy."
He said Wal-Mart supported Massmart's black economic empowerment programme and would aim to be a "corporate and retail role model".
Full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/27/wal-mart-talks-buy-south-africa-massmart
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The Indian government plans to allow only those retailers who first invest in back-end supply chain and infrastructure to set up multi-brand retail outlets in the country, India's Financial Express reports. The Indian Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said that interested players will first have to set up cash & carry outlets, sourcing centres and the entire supply chain before they enter retailing.
]]>The Indian government plans to allow only those retailers who first invest in back-end supply chain and infrastructure to set up multi-brand retail outlets in the country, India's Financial Express reports. The Indian Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said that interested players will first have to set up cash & carry outlets, sourcing centres and the entire supply chain before they enter retailing.
An official involved in the discussions said: "The policy will be such that there will be a holistic approach - comprising the value chain from bottom to the top - in allowing FDI in multi-brand retail. We will ensure that retailers who want to enter India have already created jobs here."
The FDI limit in multi-brand retail is expected to be below the 51% cap in single-brand retail to ensure that control remains with Indian investors. Sources close to the discussions are expecting a recommendation of 49%.
Copyright www.planetretail.net
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The Indian government plans to allow only those retailers who first invest in back-end supply chain and infrastructure to set up multi-brand retail outlets in the country, India's Financial Express reports. The Indian Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said that interested players will first have to set up cash & carry outlets, sourcing centres and the entire supply chain before they enter retailing.
]]>The Indian government plans to allow only those retailers who first invest in back-end supply chain and infrastructure to set up multi-brand retail outlets in the country, India's Financial Express reports. The Indian Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said that interested players will first have to set up cash & carry outlets, sourcing centres and the entire supply chain before they enter retailing.
An official involved in the discussions said: "The policy will be such that there will be a holistic approach - comprising the value chain from bottom to the top - in allowing FDI in multi-brand retail. We will ensure that retailers who want to enter India have already created jobs here."
The FDI limit in multi-brand retail is expected to be below the 51% cap in single-brand retail to ensure that control remains with Indian investors. Sources close to the discussions are expecting a recommendation of 49%.
Copyright www.planetretail.net
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Walmart has been forced to create a unique business model in India due to its immature supply chain, India's Business Standard reports. The supermarket chain, whose supply chain is known for its efficiency, awards marks out of 100 to all suppliers. Whereas in other countries most suppliers score around 95, in India the average is a mere 60 points.
]]>Walmart has been forced to create a unique business model in India due to its immature supply chain, India's Business Standard reports. The supermarket chain, whose supply chain is known for its efficiency, awards marks out of 100 to all suppliers. Whereas in other countries most suppliers score around 95, in India the average is a mere 60 points.
Raj Jain, CEO of Bharti Walmart admitted: "It's a big problem." He says that the poor performance of suppliers has forced Walmart to keep "significantly more" inventory in India than anywhere else in the world and that eats into operational efficiency.
Other challenges facing Walmart in India include the issue of free credit. Walmart has recently introduced two weeks' free credit through a system of credit cards issued by Kotak Mahindra Bank to compete with local wholesalers, who typically offer credit for free to regular customers with whom they have been doing business for years. In India many wholesalers deliver goods direct to the buyer's doorstep and some customers are finding that it is a long way to travel to the Best Price Wholesale store every morning to pick up goods.
At present Walmart's India operations are restricted to the state of Punjab, making it easier to build a more reliable supply chain within the state. Jain said: "Restricting to a geographical area is good. You can get critical mass in some states, not the entire country." The company has realised that it will take a long time to gain critical mass across India once it is ready to expand into other states and this is a huge issue that it has to face, and one that will confront other western retailers, particularly if FDI is eventually permitted in multi-format retail.
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