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AfCFTA snoek origin rules for fish market integration
Publication
This report discusses the AfCFTA snoek origin rules. It provides an introduction, background information, and a state of play for international trade in snoek. It also discusses the AfCFTA rules of origin for salted snoek and presents four envisaged scenarios and concludes with a suggestion to consider the practicality and acceptability of a flexible rule for each participating member state.
Key takeaways
- The risk related to accommodating Mauritius’ request for preferential access to snoek products is limited due to the small existing demand and expected impact of liberalizing markets.
- Four scenarios are made for the rules of origin for salted snoek, and it recommends considering a flexible rule with caveats to avoid preempting future opportunities.
- Information on the classification, harvest, and global trade of snoek provides insights into the state of play in negotiations on rules of origin for fishery products under the AfCFTA.
Lessons on niche fishery markets
The report aims to provide AfCFTA negotiating parties with the necessary insights to make informed decisions regarding the outstanding rules of origin under HS Chapter 3.
Snoek is a type of fish found in the seas of South Africa and is used for frozen and salted products as a cultural product in Mauritius.
The report provides an overview of snoek, its harvest, and HS classification. It also discusses the state of international trade in snoek, estimating the Mauritian demand for frozen snoek for processing and export purposes. In addition, the report analyzes the AfCFTA Rules of origin for salted snoek of HS 0305.69, presenting four scenarios that have been envisaged based on the available evidence.
The status quo scenario is deemed risky and potentially detrimental to the negotiation process. Adopting the wholly obtained scenario may exclude any country from trading processed snoek on a preferential basis in the short- to medium-term.
Adopting the CTH criterion may discard the possibility of sufficient availability in the longer term.
Finally, the report suggests considering the practicality and acceptability for each participating Member State to concede to a flexible rule, with appropriate caveats to avoid preempting future opportunities.
The report concludes that a flexible rule will unlikely harm the fishing industry or disrupt the socio-economic structures in any AfCFTA State Party.
The report recommends that Member States consider a flexible rule, with the appropriate caveats, to accommodate Mauritius’ request for preferential treatment of salted snoek under the AfCFTA.
Rationale for a policy note on AfCFTA snoek origin rules
The report seeks to provide Member States involved in the consultation with the elements to make the most informed proposal regarding the outstanding proposal under HS Chapter 3, specifically for the salted snoek of subheading 0305.69. The report discusses the state of play of international trade in snoek, the AfCFTA snoek origin rules, and various scenarios that have been envisaged to accommodate Mauritius’ request for preferential treatment of salted snoek under the AfCFTA. The report provides insights and policy options for the Member States to consider in their decision-making process.
Authored by
Guillaume Gérout
Mr. Guillaume Gérout is a trade policy specialist, notably on intra-African trade and global agreements, contributing significantly to the AfCFTA negotiations and collaborating with major international and governmental organisations.
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