The aim of the Kick-off Meeting of the REAWG on Quality Standards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables was to discuss current situation with the area of the quality/market standards on fresh fruits and vegetables in the Western Balkan countries/territories, what could be the main threats and benefits for the producers and traders, what impact will have the work of this group in the scope of the EU Green Agenda and to agree on steps ahead.
During the initial meeting, members of the REAWG had an open discussion in which direction the activities should be addressed, and which of the appropriate area can be covered, the food safety, food quality or market quality. Two sets of the presentations have been delivered form the representatives from the respective countries/territories (tour the table); state of art of the fruit and vegetable production in respective countries\territories and an overview of the existing/current legislation in the field of the agricultural quality/market standards. Moreover, because of the potential high impact of the strict market standards regulation for the business (for producer and traders), the REAWG visited a fruit production company “Vocko” Tavankut near Subotica which selling their production on the domestic and foreign market, including the EU market.
For the next planned meeting the REAWG on Quality Standards for Fres Fruits and Vegetables should be discussed about the findings in the initial national assessment and the cross-country/territory synthesis report summarizing common issues and recommendations in the area of the market standards on fresh fruits and vegetables in the Western Balkans countries/territories and to define priorities and next steps in implementing the IV Pilar of the Action plan of the Green Agenda for Western Balkan countries.
The activity is implemented within the Project: Support to Economic Diversification in Rural Areas in SEE (SEDRA II) supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and GIZ North Macedonia and implemented by the SWG RRD.
1. Serbia-Overview of the current legislation in F&V sector
2 Serbia-Fruit and Vegetable production and foreign trade
3. Kosovo-presentation of the identified NEEDS and priorities for technical support
4. Albania-Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
6.State of art_North Macedonia
7. Montenegro-Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
8. Kosovo State of art of the fruit and vegetable production in SEE
9. Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables – North Macedonia
10. Republic of Srpska-Fruits and vegetables mark
