More than 120 fruit producers, traders, retailers and market experts from all regions of Moldova, as well as representatives of supermarket chains and fruit importers from Belarus, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine, gathered for the First International Conference on Fresh Produce Retailing and Exports in Moldova on November 23, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the organizers.

The event aims to promote positive linkages in the value chain within the sector and share the best marketing, technological and post-harvest handling practices, with a view to supporting the development of modern local retail systems and new export opportunites. A trade forum is expected to be the highlight of the conference. This aims to help Moldovan producers to negotiate supply contracts directly with top buyers from abroad and with all the major local supermarket chains.

The event was organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Moldovan National Federation of Agricultural Producers (AGROinform). Prior to the conference, FAO and the EBRD conducted studies of the value chain for key fruit and vegetable products. Based on the findings, they have arranged three targeted seminars for around 150 local producers on how to improve the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to quality standards that are acceptable for specific export markets and supermarket chains.