Global GAP Standard Compliance and Smallholder Pineapple Farmers’ Access to Export Markets: Implications for Incomes

Abstract

This study seeks to determine the effect of compliance with GlobalGAP standards and it implications for access to export market and incomes for smallholder pineapple farmers in the Central region of Ghana. The study was conducted in two pineapple growing districts; Mfantsiman Municipality and Gomoa East district. Primary data were collected through interviews using structured questionnaires. Simple random sampling was used to select 63 pineapple farmers (i.e., 30 Global GAP certified and 33 non-certified farmers from pineapple producer groups in the two districts. Analysis of the marketing channels reveal that market women were the major buyers of pineapple commanding 69.7% of noncertified farmers produce and 30% of the produce of the certified (i.e., compliant) farmers. Although 20% of the certified farmers sold their produce to exporters against 12.1% for non-certified farmers, it cannot be concluded that farmers' access to the export market has been enhanced by complying with the Global GAP standard. However, all buyers preferred produce from certified farmers to non-certified farmers. On the economic performance of GlobalGAP certified and non-certified pineapple farmers, the empirical results reveal that the Global GAP certified pineapple farmers obtained GHS 15,027.57 for growing one hectare of pineapple while non-certified pineapple farmers made a net average income of GHS 6,256.36. These results imply that the Global GAP certified pineapple farmers obtained 2.4 times more net average income than non-certified pineapple growers. The results of this study have implications for pineapple farmers and policy makers in developing countries.

Heterogeneous impacts of GlobalGAP adoption on net income in small‐scale pineapple farming in Ghana: Does farm size matter?

“…GlobalGAP is a farm assurance standard established in 2007 by a consortium of European food retailers as an upgrade to the former EUREPGAP standard with a global focus aimed at ensuring hygienic and safe food production (Kuwornu & Mustapha, 2013). The goal of GlobalGAP is to change the attitudes of farm managers and workers from being purely production-oriented to being fully aware of the impacts of their operations on consumer health and safety.…”

“…Ghana's pineapple exports declined with diminishing smallholder participation in the export market after 2007 when GlobalGAP standards were introduced (FAO, 2023; Kuwornu & Mustapha, 2013). This raises questions about the magnitude and nature of costs incurred by farmers who adopt and maintain these standards.…”