PROJECT SUMMARY
Working closely with public and private sector partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, FAO and the EBRD are helping agrifood SMEs in the region to diversify their export markets and improve their sales prospects.
CONTEXT
The EBRD and FAO have supported export development activities in the Western Balkans over the last five years. This project is set to help Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia diversify agrifood exports including high-value horticultural products. As well as opening new markets and boosting income, the diversification of crop production and related export markets also builds resilience into food systems in the face of global challenges including climatic and economic uncertainties, global pandemics and conflicts.
Rural economies in the project countries strongly rely on agriculture, particularly cereal production, for food security and livelihoods. Yet production remains fragmented with limited opportunities for generating income. Nevertheless, they are already showing potential when it comes to the production and export of high-value horticulture, thanks to relatively low labour costs, a favourable climate, increasing yields and the proximity and preferential access to the EU market. Positive trends in the production and trade of fruit – apples, cherries, plums and raspberries – have been observed across all countries in the region with particularly strong growth in Serbia.
Activities
To build the capacity of public and private stakeholders to stimulate the diversification of agrifood exports, the EBRD and FAO are working in each of the five project countries to:
Promote and diversify exports of horticulture products (fresh, frozen and processed), honey and wine – sectors that have active and dynamic participation of SMEs and good prospects for developing agribusinesses and increasing export earnings;
Strengthen capacities to improve competitiveness and achieve greater access to markets where demand for high-value products is high;
Provide technical support and follow-up to companies that have promising export potential; and
Identify the areas of biggest impact for potential investment opportunities.
Achievements
Export Guide Webinars and E-Guides
A series of export guide webinars and E-Guides for fruit and vegetable producers and exporters in the Western Balkans have been developed to support the diversification of fruit and vegetable exports to new, high-potential markets including:
- Nordic Region (Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark), US and UK – Fresh, Frozen and Processed Fruits and Vegetables (Serbian)
- Western Balkans to the Middle East (UAE and Saudi Arabia) – Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Serbian)
More information can be found in the project archive.
Mentoring Sessions
A series of mentoring sessions in English designed for fruit and vegetable export marketing in the UK market including:
- An introduction to the UK food market
- An introduction to the UK fresh/dried produce market
- Routes to market and branding, labelling and certification issues for premium fruit- and vegetable-derived products
- An introduction to the UK frozen fruit and vegetable market
More information can be found in the project archive.
Wine and Media Tour, Skopje – May 2023
The Wines of Macedonia Association gathered more than 120 participants from public and private wine sectors in the Western Balkans to discuss future wine sector development. European and regional journalists and wine professionals also participated in a study tour.
Regional Agribusiness Conference, Kopaonik, 31 May – 1 June 2023
Discussions with over 500 participants including ministers, high-level government officials, international organizations, donors, sector associations, companies and academia resulted in a new Western Balkans Agriculture and Processing Industry Roadmap with recommendations to improve regional agrifood sector responsiveness and resilience to future market needs and challenges.
