Uzbekistan and Serbia are strengthening practical interaction in the agro-industrial sector. As part of this cooperation, representatives of Uzbek small and medium-sized businesses specializing in freeze-dried fruit products and dried prunes visited Serbia from August 17 to 21.
The mission was organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the Trade Promotion East program with the support of the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan. The main goal of this program is to enhance the export potential and technological capabilities of domestic producers.
During the visit, entrepreneurs studied modern methods for producing freeze-dried products and prunes, post-harvest processing technologies, quality control systems, packaging solutions, as well as approaches to promotion and brand development.
The program started in Belgrade with a meeting at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Uzbek delegation familiarized itself with the experience of developing export-oriented agriculture, as well as the mechanisms of interaction between business, industry associations, and state structures.
Entrepreneurs also visited Serbian companies and research organizations engaged in the production and processing of fruits and vegetables. The program included visits to the enterprises Zafruit, FRIKOS, ELBI (LyoCake), Podgorina Fruct, Jovanović Voće, Processing TM, Agro Corp Duo, and the Fruit Research Institute in Čačak.
At the production and research facilities, participants studied fruit drying and processing technologies, quality control systems, modern packaging solutions, and organization of supplies to foreign markets. Practical sessions were supplemented by expert discussions on food safety, innovation, and increasing the added value of products.
It is planned that the acquired knowledge will be used for the further development of the export activities of Uzbek companies. The next stage will be business meetings with foreign buyers and partners.
B2B meetings with importers and distributors are scheduled for August 22 in Zagreb and August 24 in Ljubljana. Uzbek firms will be able to present their products, discuss the requirements of European buyers, and study opportunities for entering new external markets.
Thus, the program combines training producers in technologies with finding potential partners and new sales channels. For participating companies, this opens up opportunities to improve the competitiveness of fruit and vegetable products, implement modern production methods, and expand their presence in export markets.