News

The National Meat Processors Association was formally established today, at the Hotel Zira in Belgrade. Zvonimir Rot, the Deputy Director of the Veterinary Department, Michael Metzler, Deputy Director of the Economic Growth Office at USAID and Aca Paijic, the President of the Association's founding assembly spoke at the event.

The 24 members of the National Meat Processors Association are the following companies: Neoplanta from Novi Sad, Carnex from Vrbas, Pajic Company Group form Paracin, Golija from Raska, Giljeva from Sjenica, Strand from Novi Sad, Buducnost from Kragujevac, Agro Adria from Bujanovac, Braca Djokic from Leskovac, LTS from Lovcenac, Kotlenik-Promet from Ladjevci, Mak from Nis, NID from Tavnik, Sinimpex from Nis, Turkovic from Sjenica, Union MZ from Pozarevac, Mesara Seka, Zlatibormes from Zlatibor, Trlic from Ub, Sopalovic from Mackat, Pro-mes from Novi Becej,  Nedeljkovic from Sasinci, Durdjevic from Subotiste, Mesara Srbija from Leskovac and Oreovica from Velika Plana.

 During the founding assembly held today, it was decided that Mr. Aca Pajic will assume the position of President of the managing board, while the managing board members will be representatives from the following companies: Carnex, Strand, Buducnost, Neoplanta, Pajic Company Group, Giljeva, Sopalovic, SimImpex and Braca Djokic.

Following the official registration of the Association with the appropriate institutions, the initial meeting of the managing board will be organized in order to discuss and decide on the initial association activities and a detailed work-plan of the association.

The 24 member companies together employ over 5,800 employees and have a turnover of 26 billion dinars. By banding together, the founding companies will increase the competitiveness of Serbian meat products in local and international markets, develop more effective marketing strategies, and have stronger representation before national and international bodies and institutions.

The establishment of the Serbian National Meat Processors Association is supported by the USAID Agribusiness Project which will help the association fulfill its planned activities. 

The USAID Agribusiness Project has been assisting Serbia's livestock and meat sectors since 2008 with activities aimed at helping producers implement international food safety and quality standards, introduction of new technologies, and assistance in marketing and export focused activities.

The Serbian National Milk Processors Association (SEDA) today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the European Dairy Association (EDA) to promote milk processing in Serbia and provide a framework for cooperation between the two associations.

By joining EDA, SEDA members will participate in European Union-led dairy forums and interact with milk producers facing similar challenges.  The memorandum was signed by SEDA President Zoran Matic and EDA Secretary General Joop Kleibeuker.  

The dairy sector in Serbia is of vital economic importance, said Milos Milovanovic, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management.  He said his ministry would continue to support the dairy sector to the best of its ability.

Susan K. Fritz, the Mission Director at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Serbia, congratulated SEDA’s eight member dairies for their vision and determination to form their association.  “Although it is difficult to collaborate with your competitors, you have recognized that there is strength in numbers – and joint representation,” Fritz said, adding that USAID has been providing support to Serbia’s dairy sector for a decade.

Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation will further improve the prospects for export to the EU, said Zoran Micovic, the Director of the Veterinary Department.

SEDA was established in November 2011.  Its eight members – Sabac Dairy, Megle, Kuc Dairy, Ekomlek Dairy, Nis Dair, Lazar Dairy, Muza Dairy, and Leskovac Dairy – purchase milk from nearly 11,000 farmers and process 600,000 liters of milk daily.  They employ nearly 1,300 people.  

SEDA, which was established with assistance from the USAID Agribusiness Project, seeks to increase productivity and product quality and enhance the competitiveness of Serbian dairy products.  The USAID Agribusiness Project has helped dairies meet international food safety and quality standards, introduce new technologies, and improve marketing and exports. 

Twelve young entrepreneurs, winners of a Youth Business Plan Competition sponsored by the USAID Agribusiness Project, today received grants totaling $150,000 (11.6 million RSD) to launch their own agribusinesses.

The entrepreneurs were also awarded certificates today by USAID’s Economic Growth Office Director Susan Kutor and Serbia’s Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management Milos Milovanovic. 

During her address, Susan Kutor stressed that the USAID Agribusiness Project will continue to collaborate with the young entrepreneurs in order to ensure they persevere in their aim of creating solid and successful companies. She also noted that "until next September, 16 grantees form the previous business plan writing competition cycle, also organized by the USAID Agribusiness Project, expect a return on investment of four to one, achieved through growth in sales. These grantee companies will by then have employed almost 100 new employees."

The recipients of the agribusiness start-up grants will be launching businesses in a variety of pursuits including milk processing, and fruit, vegetable and medicinal herb cultivation and processing.  All completed an agribusiness training course sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The USAID Agribusiness Project launched its Youth in Agribusiness Project in 2008 to promote entrepreneurship among youth in Serbia.  Nearly 1,250 students from throughout the country have completed its training course.  The business plan writing competition has been held three times and 28 students have received agribusiness start-up funds totaling nearly $370,000 (28 million RSD).

U.S. marketing expert Jeffrey Spear held a one day workshop for Serbian agribusinesses during which he highlighted strategies and methodologies needed to build brands and improve packaging. 

Spear, in collaboration with the USAID Agribusiness Project, has been helping Serbian food and beverage companies develop marketing strategies, build brands and design packaging that appeals to domestic and foreign markets for the past five years.  

The aim of the November 29 workshop was foster an exchange of ideas between agribusinesses and marketing professionals as to exploit untapped opportunities in Serbia and the region. 

Since 2007 the USAID Agribusiness Project has provided $840,000 in grants to 49 Serbian companies to develop marketing strategies, build brands, redesign packaging, and develop visual identities and product branding for foreign markets. 

Eleven women were awarded grants totaling US$160,000 (RSD 11.7 million) to launch their own agribusinesses.  The women were winners of a Business Plan Competition sponsored by the USAID Agribusiness Project.

The winners were presented certificates today by USAID Mission Director Susan K. Fritz 

The start-up grants will enable these entrepreneurs to launch businesses in a variety of pursuits, including milk processing and the cultivation and processing of fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs.  They are among 300 women who completed an agribusiness training course organized by the USAID Agribusiness Project as part a program to promote entrepreneurship among rural women.  

The Women Entrepreneurs Program has held training sessions in Leskovac , Kragujevac, Čačak Kraljevo , Valjevo, Užice Šabac , Niš, Gadžin Han , Prokuplje , Zaječar, Pirot and Bor .

USAID is now expanding this program to involve all relevant institutions locally and nationally. The USAID Agribusiness Project will continue to provide support to all women entrepreneurs that have taken part in the training program and also will support implementation of the selected business plans with technical and advisory assistance.  

“Women are the backbone of Serbia’s rural population,” said Susan K. Fritz, Mission Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Serbia. “Their value as an engine of growth must not be overlooked.  Communities that create opportunities so women can own and operate enterprises grow faster and more sustainably.”