Preparing of strategic marketing plans for export of Macedonian fresh fruit and vegetables and processed fruit and vegetables on markets worldwide is the goal of the project "Sector Export Marketing Plans (SEMP) for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Processed Vegetables Value Chains", which was officially promoted on Monday.
The project prepared by USAID's AgBiz programme, the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, and CBI, a Dutch agency that promotes imports from developing countries, in cooperation with Makedonija Eksport company have identified several potential export markets, where Macedonian product would have a competitive value.
The markets in Serbia, Russia, Slovenia, Germany and Canada have been selected for export of fresh fruit and vegetables, whereas the markets in Serbia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria and BiH have been chosen for promotion of processed fruit and vegetables. The ministries of agriculture and economy were also involved in the preparation of these documents.
"Marketing plans for export of fresh fruit and vegetables are of great importance in contributing to increasing the export potentials of agricultural products. The key result of this process is to define target markets having the best export potential for Macedonian producers," Minister of Economy Valon Saraqini said.
Nowadays, markets around the world are more sophisticated, more competitive and more innovative. "Therefore it is necessary our companies to comply with the trend in order their products to be more competitive and more innovative on the markets in Europe and beyond."
"The agro-business sector, which is one of those having high export potential, and its improvement will also stimulate the overall economic development of Macedonia. Manufacturers through the marketing plans will learn how to invest more in production, how to make their products more innovative and competitive and how to establish a brand," Saraqini stated.
The Ministry of Economy in its 2010 Export Strategy identified several sectors with the biggest export potential for Macedonia's economic development - textile, agro-business, car parts and information technologies. Source; Government
