News

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mary Warlick visited on Friday April 16th the farmers cooperative “Voćko” in Tavankut, near Subotica.

Vocko Cooperative was formed with USAID assistance and has been a long-term partner of U.S. assistance programs. Since its foundation, the cooperative received equipment and technical assistance by the USAID in the total value of $120,000.

Željko Nimčević, “Voćko” cooperative Manager, stated that the cooperative members are honored by U.S. Ambassador’s visit. “We hope that USAID will continue to support us in our future efforts, especially regarding our plans for a new facility for fruit processing and making of the feasibility study for this project”.

With USAID Agribusiness project assistance “Voćko” has already produced new promotional materials, marked and branded their products, while cooperative members were provided with trainings on technology of apple production and storage. Agribusiness project also made possible for “Voćko” representatives to participate at international food fairs in Berlin and Moscow.

The cooperation between „Voćko“ and USAID will continue in the future. Together with the Ministry of agriculture, the Agribusiness Project will organize trainings on cooperatives’ management, strategic planning, finances, marketing and sales. In addition, within the “Fruitland” association, “Vocko” will work on opening of the new facility for apple processing, which will result in new employment and increase profitability through sales of packaged semi-final products.

For additional information on this visit, please contact Danijela Šever Radovanović, Communications advisor, USAID Agribusiness project, at 063/86-29-348 

* * *

Agribusiness Project of the U.S. Agency for international development (USAID) is working with Serbian agricultural producers on all stages of the value chain “from field to fork” to help them increase sales and employement in Serbian agriculture.

March 17, 2010. | Hotel Continetal, Belgrade, halls Mediteran and Adriatic| 9-14h

USAID Agribusiness Project and AGROPRESS are inviting you to a conference on food safety.

TOPICS

• How is the new Food Safety Law being applied?
• Importance of certification of production and compliance with food safety requirements;
• Food safety and export potential of Serbian products;
• Capacities of existing laboratories to perform controls required by export markets;
• Specific export market food safety requirements
• Level of harmonization of Serbia’s food safety system with the food safety system in the European Union.

ATTENDING

• Saša Dragin,  Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
• Marilyn Schmidt, Deputy Mission Director of USAID
• Miloš Bugarin, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce
• Dušan Pajkić, Director of the General Inspectorate
• Dejan Krnjaić, Director of the Accreditation Body
• Jan Boćanski, Director of the Plant Protection Directorate
• Uroš Ungurović, Director of the Directorate for National Reference Laboratories
• Zoran Keserović, Director of the Department for Fruits and Vegetables
• Andriy Yarmak, Russian and Ukranian Market Specialist
• Representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Services, Customs Administration, and organizations for protection of consumer rights
• Representatives of Producer and Processor Organizations and Associations
• Representatives of leading exporting companies
• Representatives of international organizations and the diplomatic corps
• Representatives of the non-governmental sector
• Media

In order to attend the conference, please be advised to register by sending an e-mail with your details to: office@agropress.org.rs or by telephone +381 64 1781 234.

Registration of participants will begin at 8:30h in front of the halls Mediteran and Adriatic of the Continental hotel. The receptioon will take place at 13:00h in the Continental hotel.

Results of participation of Serbian companies at International fairs “Fruit Logistica” in Berlin and “BioFach” in Nuremberg were presented during a press conference held at Belgrade Media center and organized by USAID Agribusiness Project.

Global economic crisis did not discourage Serbian exporters in their efforts to position their products on the international markets.

Presentation of our companies was jointly organized by associations “Fruits of Serbia” and “Serbia Organica” with support of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, USAID Agribusiness Project, Serbia Investment and Export Promoting Agency SIEPA and German organization GTZ.

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.

Seven Serbian companies, within the “Serbia Organica” Association, are to present their products at Biofach, the largest European organic trade fair.

A rich display of Serbian organic products will include: ajvar, hot plum dip, an amazing selection of organic jams made of wild strawberries, rosehip, sour cherries, apricots and plums; juices of beetroot, carrot and apple; and organic blackberries and raspberries.

The following Serbian companies will be leading Serbia’s presentation in Nuremberg: Foodland, Zadrugar, Zdravo Organic, ITN, Royal Eco Food, Radoslovi and Mondi.

Last year, as a result of their participation at the Biofach 2009, Serbian companies contracted over 3 million USD worth of sales.

Serbia is well known in the organic world as the country of origin of the Terra Organica Wild Strawberry Nectar, the only fruit juice on the market made from famously fragrant and notoriously hard to get wild strawberries. This nectar, produced by the Serbian company Foodland, won one of the most prestigious awards given annually by Food News magazine: the 2008 World Juice Innovation Award for the Best New Juice.

Already a major supplier of fruit products to European markets, Serbia is now gaining recognition for certified organic production. Organic growers and processors are expanding production, introducing new varieties, and implementing quality control procedures such as HACCP, GlobalGAP, and ISO.

Presentation of Serbian producers at Biofach was organized by the “Serbia Organica” Association and made possible by USAID Agribusiness Project and GTZ (German Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit) in coordination with The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and SIEPA (Serbia Investment & Export Promotion Agency).

Get connected with Serbian producers and check the exquisite array of Serbia's delicacies at Biofach, from Feb 17-20, every day from 09:00 to 18:00, in Hall 1 stand 1-118

For additional information on production and processing of fruits in Serbia, visit www.serbianfruit.com

Thirteen Serbian companies, within the “Fruits of Serbia” Association, are to present their products at the industries leading fresh produce trade fair.

A rich display of Serbian produce will include: Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums Pears, Blueberries, Sweet Cherry, Wild Forest Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Carrots, Peppers, Potatoes, Onions, Lettuce and more.

The following Serbian companies will be leading Serbia’s presentation: Agrocom, Agrar-Komerc, Agrotrade, Agroprom Com, Atos Vinum, Cool Food, Fruit Land Association, Igda Impex, Lucic Prigrevica, Pik Juzni Banat, Sagal, Vojvodina Vegetable Association, Cooperative Prima – Blueberry.

Last year, as a result of their participation at the Fruit Logistica Fair 2009, Serbian companies contracted over 6 million EUR worth of sales.

The export of Serbian fresh produce has experienced exponential growth in the last couple of years. The quick adoption of the latest harvesting and post harvest techniques, rapid implementation of GlobalGAP, ISO and Organic certification and the introduction of new varieties suitable for the fresh market has ensured that Serbia establishes itself as one of the most trusted exporters in South Eastern Europe.

Presentation of Serbian producers at Fruit Logistica was organized by the “Fruits of Serbia” Association and made possible by USAID Agribusiness Project in coordination with The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and SIEPA (Serbia Investment & Export Promotion Agency)

Get connected with Serbian producers and check the exquisite array of Serbia's delicacies at Fruit Logistica, from Feb 3 – 5, every day from 09:00 to 18:00, in Hall 23 stand D-07.

For additional information on production and processing of fruits in Serbia, visit www.serbianfruit.com