Media advisories and News Releases RETURN TO THE MEDIA PAGE
Media Advisory - Serbian milk processors to sign agreement with European Dairy Association to boost milk processing in Serbia Date: 2012-01-24
The newly established Serbian National Milk Processors Association (SEDA) will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with the European Dairy Association (EDA) on Wednesday at Hotel Moscow in Belgrade. The memorandum will encourage the development of milk processing in Serbia and provide a framework for cooperation between the two associations. The media is invited to attend.
By joining EDA, SEDA members will participate in EU-led dairy forums and interact with milk producers facing similar challenges. Serbian milk producers will meet with EU dairy executives, scientists and marketing experts, join EDA working groups, and learn about global issues facing milk producers.
Media Advisory -Young entrepreneurs to be awarded $150,000 to launch new agribusinesses Date: 2011-12-20
Twelve young entrepreneurs will receive grants totaling $150,000 (11.6 million RSD) to launch agribusinesses as winners of a Youth Business Plan Competition sponsored by the USAID Agribusiness Project. The awards will be presented at 11 a.m. Wednesday by USAID’s Economic Growth Office Director Susan Kutor and Serbia’s Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management Milos Milovanovic.
Media Advisory - National Conference on the Status of Environment in Serbia Date: 2011-12-08
A report reviewing the state of Serbia’s environment in 2010 will be released on Thursday, December 8, during the National Conference organized by the Serbian Agency for Environment Protection (SEPA) and the USAID Agribusiness Project.
Media Advisory - U.S. expert to highlight marketing strategies for Serbia Date: 2011-11-29
U.S. marketing expert Jeffrey Spear will highlight strategies and methodologies to build brands and improve packaging at a workshop for agribusinesses sponsored by the USAID Agribusiness Project and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. The media is invited to attend the workshop on Tuesday, November 29, at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
Media Advisory - Launch of the Agribusiness Training Program for the women of Novi Pazar Date: 2011-11-18
The USAID Agribusiness Project and the Office for Sustainable Development of Underdeveloped Areas will hold an entrepreneurship training program for women in Novi Pazar, Sjenica and Tutin. The training sessions are part of the Women in Agribusiness program.
Press Release - Women awarded USD 160,000 to initiate their own agribusinesses Date: 2011-10-26
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.
Press Release - Serbian companies achieve impressive results at World Food Moscow Fair Date: 2011-10-18
Twenty Serbian agribusiness companies showcased their products at the recent World Food Fair Moscow. The firms made over 900 contacts and contracted export deals totaling €25 million.
Press Release - National Conference on Women in Agribusiness Date: 2011-09-21
The conference was organized by the USAID Agribusiness Project and the Office for Sustainable Development of Under-Developed Areas with to goal of encouraging Serbian governmental and financial institutions to support entrepreneurship and take additional action to encourage female entrepreneurship.
Press Release - USAID supports the livestock sector in Serbia Date: 2011-08-11
The USAID Agribusiness Project has just completed seminars in the southern cities of Kragujevac, Sjenica, Leskovac and Nis to teach livestock producers to be more productive while providing higher-quality animals to meat processors. The classes were held in cooperation with the local NGO Agrar Kontakt. Roughly 80 farmers and the small- and medium-sized meat processing companies they supply attended the sessions.
Press Release - Business Plan Competition Date: 2011-08-10
The USAID Agribusiness Project today launched the third round of its Business Plan Competition, which has high school and agricultural university students competing for the authorship of the best agribusiness plan. The 20 best business plans will be awarded up to US$15,000 each.
Students who completed the USAID Agribusiness Project’s Business Entrepreneurship Training program earlier this summer may compete in the contest. The classes were offered at universities in Belgrade, Cacak and Novi Sad. Students must formulate agribusiness plans for the production or processing of vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, herbs, dairy products or meat products (excluding fish and poultry).
Press Release - Country wide Safe Pesticide Use and Environmental Protection Training Date: 2011-06-13
Training sessions for Serbian farmers in safe pesticide use and environmental protection will be conducted in 42 Serbian municipalities in June and July by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management.
Press Release - USAID and the Danish Government join efforts in providing support to the Serbian berry and fruit sectors Date: 2011-05-27
Susan Fritz, Mission Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Serbia and Mette Kjuel Nielsen, the Ambassador of Denmark to Serbia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to provide a framework for the future cooperation between USAID and the Danish Embassy, in providing assistance to Serbian berry and fruit sectors.
Pess Release - Serbian Berry Fruit Industry - Time for change? Date: 2011-05-05
A conference entitled - Serbian Berry Fruit Industry - Time for change? - took place today in the premises of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce in Belgrade. The Conference was organized by the USAID Agribusiness Project in collaboration with the Coldstores Association of Serbia and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
Press Release - 130 Agribusiness companies to participate in USAID sponsored Business Skills Training Date: 2011-04-08
A total of 130 food companies and producer organizations from ten municipalities will participate in 50 business skills training workshops, organized by USAID. The workshops will be held in ten different municipalities in the period between April 11th and June 31st and are designed to help companies increase the competitiveness of their products and prepare them for participation at regional and international food fairs, thus helping them access foreign markets and increase their export.
Press Release - Sabac Dairy Initiates Export to US Date: 2011-03-14
The first regular shipment of dairy products from the Sabac dairy departed today for USA. For a few years now, Serbian cheeses, mostly feta, are being exported to the USA, but today is the first time that a Serbian dairy sends a shipment of famous Serbian curd known as “kajmak” to the States.
Press Release -An exquisit selection on fresh produce from Serbia at this year's Fruit Logistica Fair in Berlin Date: 2011-02-09
The finest selection of fresh produce from Serbia will be presented to buyers between the 9th and 11th of February at the Fruit Logistica.
Press Release - Lazar Dairy from Blace signs contract for the construction of biogas digester Date: 2011-02-17
The representatives of Lazar Dairy and GHD Inc. from Wisconsin, USA, signed today a contract for the construction of a biogas digester on a dairy farm in Blace, South Serbia. The total investment is in the amount of $1.5 million, while the majority of the cost of the biogas digester pertains to associated infrastructure investments at the farm.
Press Release - CULINARIA Fine Food Show growing into most prestigious food event in the region Date: 2011-02-04
Over 60 representatives of the diplomatic core, foreign Chambers of Commerce, large local & international companies and the media gathered to discuss how to make this year’s Culinaria Fine Food an even better than the highly successful, 1st Culinaria Fine Food Show held in September of last year.
USA SUPPORTS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN SERBIA Date: 2010-11-02
New regional office of the USAID Agribusiness Project has been opened in Nis, on November 2nd, 2010, at the address 44-46/I, Kralja Stefana Prvovencanog St.
The office was officially opened by Milos Simonovic, the Mayor of Nish, Susan Fritz, USAID Mission Director, and Louis Faoro, USAID Agribusiness Project Chief of Party. Slobodan Kocic, Mayor of Leskovac, also attended the opening.
First international fine food fair CULINARIA successfully held in Belgrade Date: 2010-10-13
79 exhibitors from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovakia, Italy and Macedonia participated at the recently held first delicacies fair in southeast Europe titled “CULINARIA”, organized in Belgrade 23-25 September.
Some 3000 visitors attended CULINARIA, including foreign buyers from the USA, Canada, UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Greece and Macedonia.
Companies from the whole region had the opportunity to meet new buyers, find out about different market demands and exchange experiences. Preliminary data show potential sales of approx. 3 million USD.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIZED FINE FOOD FAIR OPENS IN BELGRADE Date: 2010-09-24
U.S. Ambassador Mary Warlick, together with the Minister of agriculture, forestry and water management Sasa Dragin, German Ambassador Wolfram Mass and VicePresident of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Stevan Jevtic, officially opened on Thursday September 23, 2010 in Belgrade the first specialized fine food and beverages fair in southeast Europe.
Titled “CULINARIA”, the Belgrade food trade show is held at the BelExpo Center and will be open until Saturday, September 25th.
SUPPORT TO LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE DAIRY SECTOR Date: 2010-08-27
Representatives of the Ministry of agriculture, water management and forestry of the Republic of Serbia, USAID Agribusiness project, dairy companies “Kuc” and “Mladost” and local NGO “Center for information and education” signed on August 26, 2010, in Kragujevac a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The goal of this MoU is to support the long-term development of the dairy sector in the Sumadija region. With the financial and technical assistance from the Ministry and USAID Agribusiness Project, the “Kuc” and “Mladost” dairies will establish a permanent training center for dairy farmers and expand the network of milk collection centers. Individual milk producers working with these dairy processors will receive assistance for modernization of their dairy farms as well as theoretical and practical training, which will enable them to increase the quantity and quality of the milk they supply.
The budget for the „Support to the sustainable dairy sector in Sumadija region” project is $130,000.
BEST IDEAS BY YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN AGRIBUSINESS AWARDED Date: 2010-04-30
Prof. Mirjana Milosevic, State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of agriculture and Jim Stein Director of the Economic Growth Office, USAID, announced on Thursday, April 29th 2010 at Aero Club in Belgrade the winners of competition for the best youth agriculture-related business plan.
Nine young entrepreneurs from Vojvodina, Sabac, Topola and Vranje, who received the certificates on this occasion, will receive over $120,000 in order to enable them to start or improve their own small agribusinesses (mini-dairy, high-tunnel production of strawberries, production of mushrooms, fruit drying etc)
News Release: U.S. Ambassador visited "Vocko" cooperative Date: 2010-04-19
Within her two-day visit to Subotica region, Ambassador Mary Warlick visit the cold storage facility and Vocko Cooperative, which was formed with USAID assistance and has been a long-term partner of U.S. assistance programs.
HUGE SUCCESS OF SERBIAN FOOD EXPORTERS Date: 2010-03-01
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.
Organic sector expanding in Serbia Date: 2010-02-16
Seven Serbian companies, within the “Serbia Organica” Association, are to present their products at Biofach, the largest European organic trade fair
Eurofruit magazine article "Full speed ahead for Serbia", January 2010 edition Date: 2010-02-10
On the occasion of the Fruitlogistica trade fair and participation of Serbian companies:
"Serbian fresh fruit and vegetable exporters continue to grow and develop as awareness of international market demands continues to increase"
Press Release: "Rural development and women in agribusiness" fair - closed Date: 2010-02-01
The very first “Fair of rural development and women in agribusiness” was opened by Milos Milovanovic, councilor of the Minister of Agriculture. This unique tree-day long manifestation, with a goal to promote rural development and participation of women in agriculture, was organized by the Association of Agricultural Journalists AGROPRESS in cooperation with USAID Agribusiness Project, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, GTZ and the host city.
Over one hundred exhibitors were proud to present their handmade products, offerings from: different kinds of honey that fight various health problems, Rakia with gold leaves, wines preferred by Tito, to traditionally modern garments, organic food, pottery, and products for improved agricultural production offered by many companies from this sector.
Press Release: Fruitlogistica Trade Fair in Berlin Date: 2010-02-03
Thirteen Serbian companies, within the “Fruits of Serbia” Association, are to present their products at the industries leading fresh produce trade fair
Press Release: New association of herbs processors and exporters Date: 2010-01-15
Newly formed association gathers 8 leading Serbian companies – founders of the association and their representatives. Those companies are Fructus, Macval, Herba, Adonis, Zdravac, Bilje Borca, Kirka Corporation and Melissa Farm, which together hold over 50 percent share of the Serbian market for products based on medicinal and aromatic plants.
New association aims to promote processing and marketing of products based on medicinal and aromatic plants and to promote Serbian products on national and international markets. Newly formed association will continue to have technical and financial support of USAID in the implementation of listed activities.
Press Release - "Serbian blueberry" association Date: 2010-01-05
The first national association of the blueberry producers “Serbian blueberry was founded in Cacak on December 28, 2009. Newly formed Association gathers 20 members – founders of the Association, including leading blueberry producers from all over the Serbia, suppliers of resources for the blueberry production, and advisory service providers.
New association aims to promote production, processing and marketing of cultivated blueberries and its promotion at the national and international markets. Newly formed association will continue to have technical and financial support of USAID in the implementation of listed activities
Press Release Date: 2009-09-30
This year's participation and attendance of twenty-two Serbian companies at the World Food Moscow Fair from the 15th to the 18th of September proved to be a major success. Serbian food exporters contracted over $8.5 million worth of sales and they are currently negotiating additional sales of goods worth over $16 million.
Media Advisory Date: 2009-10-08
Twenty-five Serbian food producers will present their products to international buyers at the ANUGA Fair in Cologne from the 10th to the 14th of October. In 2007, this bi-annual event draw close to 6,800 exhibitors from 95 countries while 163,000 people from 174 countries visited the fair.
Press Release Date: 2009-08-28
The USAID Agribusiness Project in collaboration with Serbian environmental experts will hold a three day workshop on Cleaner Production in agriculture. The Workshop will take place at Hotel Aleksander in Nis from the 29th to the 31st of August 2009.
Media Advisory Date: 2009-07-09
On Friday, 1O July 2009 at 11:00 am at the LAGERMAX AED d.o.o. facility in Šimanovci, the company’s management and USAID representatives will officially present the Consolidated Shipment services aimed at helping small Serbian exporters reach international markets.
Press Release Date: 2009-06-28
Serbian Cheeses Take Center Stage at Fancy Food Show in New York
Media Advisory Date: 2009-06-11
USAID and the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Agriculture initiate a nation-wide project for the improvement of the Agricultural Market Information System (STIPS) of Serbia. During June 12th - 13th, the first Workshop aimed at the improvement of STIPS will take place in Cacak at the Fruit Growing Institute.
Media Advisory Date: 2009-05-11
On Tuesday, 12 May 2009, at 10:00 am in the MASTER Congress Center Hall of the Novi Sad exhibition grounds, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Milan Stegic and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Mr. Michael Harvey will officially open a seminar dedicated to “The Global Financial Crisis and its Effects on Agribusiness”. U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter will also be attending the Fair and will meet with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Sasa Dragin at approximately 15.30 at the Ministry’s stand in the Main Hall.
Press Release Date: 2009-03-11
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Agribusiness Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management has launched a series of trainings on Safe Pesticide Use and Environmental Protection to be carried out in Serbia.
Press Release Date: 2009-02-24
USAID Agribusiness Project and AGROPRESS – Association of Agricultural Journalists, launch the Women Entrepreneurs in Agribusiness Project
Press Release Date: 2009-02-22
Serbian Food Companies Defy Global Recession and Expand presence at Gulfood
Press Release Date: 2009-02-19
Serbia Presents World’s Best New Fruit Juice at Biofach
Press Release Date: 2009-01-28
The Largest Exhibition Ever of Serbian Fresh Produce at Fruit Logistica in 2009
Media Advisory Date: 2009-01-26
Invitation to the Warehouse Receipts System Conference organized in collaboration with the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and EBRD.
Media Advisory Date: 2008-12-22
On Tuesday, 23 December 2008, at 11:00 am in the Tanjug International Press Center, the USAID Agribusiness Project will hold a press conference to announce the project of support related to meeting GlobalG.A.P. (Global Good Agricultural Practices) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. The key speakers at the press conference will be Mr. Goran Radojevic, USAID Agribusiness Project Operations Director; Ms. Marilynn Schmidt, USAID Deputy Mission Director and Ms. Brankica Obucina, USAID Agribusiness Project Policy Advisor.
Press Statement Date: 2008-10-17
Foodland Receives 2008 World Juice Innovation Award for Best New Juice
