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Eight
Macedonian Food Processing Companies Explore
Competitiveness Enhancement Opportunities in Turkey
 In
January 2008, eight Macedonian firms, members of the
Macedonian Association of Processors (MAP) and their
representative participated in a technology transfer
focused Study Tour that included visiting the FOOD-
TECH 2008 Food Technology Fair in Istanbul, Turkey.
Due to the increasing demand for valued added foods
and price pressure from large retailers, food
processing companies need to utilize new
technologies and highly productive machinery to
increase their product range and production
throughput and efficiency, and therefore their
competitiveness. Turkish producers of food
processing machinery and equipment are therefore
undertaking big investments focused on research and
development activities to meet this increasing
demand. The Turkish food technology industry is the
most modern in the region, driven by the rapid
growth of the Turkish food industry and its demand
for modern food processing technology. USAID’s AgBiz
Program recognized this need, and with the
Macedonian Association of Processors (MAP) organized
a five day Study Tour that included a visit to the
FOOD-TECH Fair, trade visits and Business to
Business meetings. The FOOD-TECH Fair provided
representatives of Macedonian food processing
companies an opportunity to see and understand
Turkish machinery and technology that will achieve
high food quality standards and good operating
efficiency.
 The companies also had a unique chance to visit
three Turkish private companies, leaders in their
own sectors. “Bigtem” the leader in food processing
engineering, design and manufacturing, located in
Istanbul; Olive and Vegetable Processing Company
“Idonya” and seed production company “Neobi” both
from Izmir.
Macedonian processors talked with “Bigtem” managers
and technical staff about modern food processing
systems and equipment. As a result, Bigtem will
supply Macedonian companies with filtration drums
that will assure environmentally sustainable
production and enhanced overall competitiveness of
their products. A pre-contract worth $140,000 was
signed for purchasing the equipment. After this
initial contact “Bigtem” managers will come to
Macedonia in February 2008 to sign contracts with
other processors for purchasing modern
food-processing technology.
When AgBiz linked MAP members with the “Idonya”
olive and vegetable products processing company,
Study Tour participants were familiarized with new
pepper-based products that Idonya exports to EU, US
and Canadian markets. These included grilled items,
egg plant preserved in olive oil and zucchini. These
are successful items that can be replicated in
Macedonia.
Toward the end of the Study Tour, MAP members were
introduces to the “Neobi” seed company. Meobi shared
their extensive seed development experience with the
Macedonian participants, and stressed that using
“high quality and certified seeds” is critical for
achieving higher yields and uniformity of vegetable
production.
The Executive Secretary of Macedonian Association of
Processors, Mr. Saso Ristevski, the leader of the
Study Tour said: “We learned a lot! USAID’s AgBiz
Program helped us to understand and experience how
modern technology affects processing and
competitiveness! Participants made 5 contacts with
companies supplying raw materials; signed a
pre-contract worth $140,000; found new technology
and equipment to enhance their processing, and
learned from Turkey’s advanced food
processing-related experience many ways to upgrade
our raw materials, processing technology and
products, and thereby improve our competitiveness. ”
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