The International Trade Centre (ITC) has launched the Market Price Information Portal, an online database that will allow SMEs, farmers, Trade and Investment Support Institutions and policymakers to access current and historic market price information.
The database is freely available online and users will have access to live updates of prices of more than 300 agricultural products. This will improve transparency in trade and the decision-making processes of SMEs planning to export.
The portal provides market price information for agricultural soft commodities, culinary spices and herbs, dairy/livestock, fish and seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, forestry, fibre, textiles, grains and pulses, oilseeds, oils, nuts and fats. Prices are broken down depending on the specified variety and product characteristics.
The expansion of the Market Price Information Portal including the collection and dissemination of domestic price information will also enable Trade and Investment Support Institutions, cooperatives and producers to upload local market prices related to their products. This information will then be made available on the global Market Price Information portal.
The ITC Executive Director, Arancha Gonzalez, said that the Market Price Information portal will help strengthen the ability of SMEs to make decisions and anticipate shifting trends in international markets.
ZimTrade, therefore, encourages local farmers and MSMEs to make use of the free portal as it will pave a way for them to grow their businesses and boost their competitiveness through limitless accessibility to global markets.
For more information on how to access the portal contact ZimTrade on info@zimtrade.co.zw or call 04 369330-43
Publish Date: Monday 06 August 2018
