Export horticulture in developing countries is growing rapidly, but little information is available on how smallholders and small and medium enterprises which often pack smallholders' produce, can benefit from the new market opportunities. Small Producers in Export Horticulture: a Guide to Best Practice has been prepared to fill this gap.

There is a view, strongly held in parts of the UK supermarket industry, that small producers in developing countries lack the necessary skills and education, and are too scattered and disorganized, to be considered reliable suppliers of high quality horticultural produce to sophisticated export markets. Recent trends in supermarket buying practices have therefore been towards dealing with fewer and larger commercial producers, to the exclusion of small-scale producers. This is in part a response to the need to comply with increasingly demanding social, environmental and food safety regulations set out in EU legislation and supermarket purchasing policies.

However, smallholders in many countries do produce high-quality vegetables, which enter both local and export markets with no reduction in social, environmental, food safety and quality standards. The key to the success of such enterprises is that the farmers have assured access to necessary technical skills, finance, input supplies and market information and that a relationship of trust is built up between the farmers and the exporting company.

In such situations the distinct strengths of smallholder production are realized, namely:

• smallholders can grow labour-intensive crops more cheaply than commercial farmers
• companies can avoid high costs and potential conflicts over land acquisition
• family producers can be better motivated and more reliable than hired labourers
• increased rural income generation contributes to social and political stability.

Many more situations exist where such complementary relationships can be established, to the benefit of growers, buyers and ultimately European consumers.

The supply of fresh vegetables from Africa, Asia and South America to consumers in Europe does bear costs, notably the fuel and environmental costs of air transport. Concerns about 'food miles' must however be balanced against the income for small producers and the opportunities for ethical trade which the export horticulture industry can offer.

The guide provides clear and concise information on procedures for delivering technical and organizational skills, financial resources and market information to enable this to happen.