Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Milos Milovanovic, USAID Mission Director, Michael Harvey and Tobias Stolz, representative of GTZ organization, attended the press Conference.
Milos Milovanovic, Assistant Minister of agriculture, gave the opening keynote of the conference. He thanked the USAID and GTZ on their support to Ministry of Agriculture and Serbian agribusiness in general, in their effort to transform agriculture into modern, efficient and market-oriented sector that will benefit all involved in agribusiness, from individual agricultural producers to exporters. He then reminded those present that there is a constant foreign trade exchange surplus of agricultural products since 2005, and, as for 2009, the surplus was 640 million US dollars and export amounted to 2 billion US dollars.
Michael Harvey, USAID Mission Director, noted that Srbija will face stiff competition from EU market , as it approaches to European Union. Even though Serbian products are very high quality, producers and exporters must be very well prepared in order to endure pressures of such markets. He pointed out that he was especially pleased and proud that USAID has helped Serbian companies to sell their products in such a large and important markets as Russian, using the benefits of arrangement between Serbia and Russia.
“The success of these fairs indicates that Serbia can successfully compete and achieve excellent results in international markets and I am glad that USAID could help Serbian products to find their way to markets worldwide” – Michael Harvey said.
Speaking on behalf of companies exibited on “Fruit Logistica” fair, Ratko Vukicevic, Chairman of “Fruits of Serbia” Association pointed out that 13 Serbian companies participated at the World’s Leading trade fair for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable business , held in Berlin from 3-5 February. Those were: Agrocom, Agrar-Komerc, Agrotrade, Agroprom Com, Atos Vinum, Cool Food, „Fruit Land“ Association, Igda Impex, Lucic Prigrevica, Pik Juzni Banat, Sagal, “Vojvodina” Vegetable Association and Cooperative “Prima – Blueberry”.
A variety of Serbian high quality products: Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums Pears, Blueberries, Sweet Cherry, Wild Forest Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Carrots, Peppers, Potatoes, Onions, Lettuce and other fruit and vegetables were introduced to foreign buyers.
According to Ratko Vukicevic ,a remarkable results were achieved: contracted sales amounted to 8 millions US dollars, another 5,9 millions US dollars sales are being negotiated.
„Joint appearance and good preparation of our companies were key to our success“, Mr Vukicevic said.
Companies Foodland, Zadrugar, Zdravo Organic, ITN, Royal Eco Food, Radoslovi and Mondi presented a rich display of Serbian organic products: ajvar, selection of organic jams made of wild strawberry , rosehip, cherry, apricot and plum , beetroot, carrot and apple juices, organic blackberry and raspberry juices, and juices made of other fruits and vegetables.
Mrs Miskovic noted that „BioFach“ fair has just finished and negotiations on sales of Serbian organic products worth 2,7 million US dollars are in the final stage. Given the global economic crisis, we are very pleased that we are on track to achieve the same results as last year.“.
On behalf of GTZ, which has also helped our companies to participate at trade fairs in Berlin and Nuremberg, Tobias Stoltz said: "This success has shown that best results are achieved through the joint efforts and cooperation of all stakeholders."
USAID's Agribusiness Project assists Serbian agricultural producers to enter new international markets since the beginning of the Project in 2007.
In course of preparation for participation in the trade fairs abroad, the Project supports exhibiting companies through a range of activities: market research, improving knowledge in the field of international marketing and effective representation at international trade fairs, advertising in specialized journals, learning negotiation skills in sales, implementation and certification of international food quality and safety standards.
USAID Agribusiness Project Team continues to work on market linking of Serbian producers and foreign customers and assists companies in individual negotiations, contracting, product delivery and post-sales activities.
