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AgBiz Supports Fresh Produce Exporters to Build Their Own Legacy
“MAEA is the first and the only
trade association that embraces
Macedonian FF&V
exporting companies. We
have an open membership
policy towards all exporters of
fresh products.
Involving as many VC players
as possible in the Association
is the first step towards joining
our strengths on national
level to make our fresh produce
exports more competitive,
both on regional and
world markets!”
; said Slavica
Angelova, President of MAEA
 The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FF&V) Value Chain (VC) makes a very
significant annual contribution to Macedonian export sales, both in volume
and value. USAID’s AgBiz Program recognized the export potential
of this value chain, but also identified a number of weaknesses, including
a lack of cooperation and a functional organization to serve the needs of
VC participants.
To help resolve these weaknesses, AgBiz conducted an assessment to
identify the common interests of FF&V VC companies, and their commitment
to establishing a national fresh produce trade association. A strong
common interest was identified to address the problems and challenges
faced by the VC and a joint vision for VC development actions emerged.
Therefore, after additional work to bring VC participants together, a
Founding General Assembly was organized at which 17 representatives
from 13 companies participated and registered to become members of a
new FF&V VC organization – the Macedonia Agro Exporters Association
(MAEA). Active involvement of these 13 major players who employ at
least 1,000 people sends strong signal to other FF&V companies to also
join the new association.
Ten days later MAEA was officially registered and Mrs. Slavica Angelova,
Manager of Dushan Ciric, was elected President. AgBiz applauded this
result, and to help the newly established association build its capacity,
agreed to support the Association to develop a Five Year Strategy and
Action Plan.
To become a fully functional and well organized trade association, developing
the strategy was by itself not enough. MAEA members needed to
understand more about the role of the association, the process for strengthening
and sustaining as well as optimizing benefits to members. Therefore,
AgBiz, in partnership with MAEA, organized a five-day study tour for
MAEA members to more advanced FF&V associations in Bulgaria. During
the study tour MAEA members met with representatives of four
trade/producer associations and visited their operations that utilize the
latest value-added FF&V preparation systems. They also visited several
IPARD funded facilities for postharvest handling and processing. The
group also had an opportunity to meet and hold discussions with the Bulgarian
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ms. Svetlana Boyanova, and staff in
the Bulgarian Ministry responsible for development and support of producer
organizations.
MAEA members learned about organizing sustainable FF&V-related associations,
their management practices, advocating with Government,
and the range of services offered to members of Bulgarian associations.
Thanks to AgBiz support, now MAEA is more capable of working in the
best interest of its members, and contributing to strengthening the overall
competiveness of the Macedonian FF&V Value Chain.
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