EBRD, FAO promote fruit exports and retail trade in Moldova
23 November 2016, Chisinau, Moldova – Greater efficiency in Moldova’s fruit and vegetable production and trade is the goal of a joint effort by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – in collaboration with Moldova National Federation of Agricultural Producers (Agro-Inform).
More than 120 fruit producers, traders, retailers and market experts from all regions of Moldova, as well as representatives of supermarket chains and fruit importers from Belarus, Tajikistan, Romania, Russian Federation and Ukraine, are gathering here today for the First International Conference on Fresh Produce Retail and Exports in Moldova.
The event aims to promote positive value chain linkages within the sector and share best marketing, technological and post-harvest handling practices, with a view to supporting the development of modern local retail systems and new export opportunites.
“The diversification of Moldova’s fruit exports is very low, as more than 90 percent of the fruit exported ends up on the market of the Eurasian Customs Union” said FAO Economist Andriy Yarmak“. We are trying to help local producers develop new markets both within Moldova and outside of the country. This requires modernization along the whole value chain”.
A “Trade Forum” is expected to be the highlight of the Conference. Linking suppliers and buyers for networking sessions on a dedicated schedule, the Forum aims to help Moldovan producers of fresh fruit and vegetables to negotiate supply contracts directly with top buyers from abroad and with all the key local supermarket chains.
Prior to the conference, FAO and EBRD conducted value chain studies for key fruit and vegetable products. Based on the findings, they have arranged three targeted seminars for around 150 local producers on how to improve the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to quality standards acceptable for specific export markets and supermarket chains.
“Access to high-value local and export markets remains a main challenge for fruit producers in Moldova”, said Victoria Zinchuk, Acting Director for Agribusiness at EBRD. “We can help producers address this challenge through targeted business advice as well as required financing for any future investments”.
Along with volume, farmers need to increase value through improved growing technologies, selection of better varieties, improved post-harvest handling, packaging, and logistics, as well as marketing and promotion.
EBRD and FAO will continue working with local suppliers and buyers in Moldova and the region to support more inclusive and sustainable value chains in the agribusiness sector.
EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Moldova. Since the start of its operations in the country, the Bank has invested over Euro 1 billion through 110 projects in Moldova’s financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with more than half of those investments being in the private sector.
FAO assists its member countries to access international markets, meet international quality and safety standards, and improve processes along the agrifood value chain. In Moldova, FAO assists the government in creating and implementing a favourable institutional, legal and regulatory environment for the development of more inclusive and efficient agrifood systems.
LINKS:
FAO Investment Centre (English only)
http://www.fao.org/investment/en/
Инвестиционный центр ФАО (только на английском)
http://www.fao.org/investment/en/
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Европейский Банк Реконструкции и Развития
http://www.ebrd.com/ru/home.html
FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Региональное Отделение ФАО для Европы и Центральной Азии