In several countries in Central Asia, whole dried rosehip is traded either as whole fruit or in pieces. It is commonly used to make tea and other infusions, and is known for its high antioxidant, vitamin, and nutrient content. It has been reported to have various health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving skin health, and aiding digestion.
This week, the UNECE adopted a recommendation (a standard on trial) for whole dried rosehip. This is expected to create new trade opportunities for producers in Central Asia by removing barriers to export and allowing them to tap into the growing demand for natural, high-quality nutritional products in international markets.
The standard outlines the quality requirements for whole dried rosehip from the Rosaceae Juss Rosa L. plant family, specifically for rosehip intended for direct consumption without further processing. It was adopted at the 79th session of the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards (WP.7) in November 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Central Asian Working Group to Promote Exports of Agricultural Produce (CAWG), a collaborative platform between the business community and state bodies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, proposed the standard. The CAWG has also facilitated the development of several other UNECE standards for produce from the region, including dried melon, dried persimmons, and sweet apricot kernels, as well as providing over 30 explanatory materials in local languages for Central Asian producers.
The development of this standard reflects UNECE’s commitment to supporting agricultural trade in the region. Producers in Central Asia can now utilize these standards to improve product quality, expand market access, and contribute to economic growth. UNECE’s standardization efforts aim to enhance quality and facilitate international trade, promoting economic resilience not just in Central Asia, but globally as well.
The 79th session of the Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards also adopted a new UNECE standard for sweet potatoes and revised standards for courgettes, headed cabbages, leafy vegetables, almond kernels, blanched almond kernels, inshell almonds, dates, and dried tomatoes.
During the session, there was also a roundtable discussion on the digitalization of agricultural trade processes, a high-level panel on capacity building for benefiting from agricultural trade, talks on food loss and waste, as well as a lunch-time reception and exhibition showcasing fresh and dried fruit and nuts from France, Italy, Sweden, Tajikistan, the United States, and Besana Group, a member of the International Nuts and Dried Fruit Council.
Note to editors
UNECE has developed over 100 agricultural quality standards for various products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, dry and dried produce, meat, seed potatoes, cut flowers, eggs, and egg products. These standards are used internationally by governments, producers, traders, importers, and exporters. By using common terminology and harmonized requirements, these standards help buyers and sellers understand the quality of the products being traded, reducing transaction costs and risks while also allowing for price differentiation based on quality. They are an important part of a larger system of quality control and assurance that supports international trade.
UNECE standards also serve as the basis for agricultural quality legislation in many countries. For example, the EU’s marketing standards for the 10 most traded types of fresh fruit and vegetables (apples, citrus fruit, kiwi, lettuce, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes, and tomatoes) are harmonized with UNECE standards.
When a standard is recommended, it is on trial for up to two years. To ensure consistent application of the standards, UNECE works with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which publishes explanatory brochures for producers, traders, and inspectors. UNECE also collaborates with the Secretariat of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in its standard-setting work.