To access EU markets, meeting safe and sustainable agricultural requirements and obtaining certification is a necessity for Albanian products. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania (MARD) and RisiAlbania joined efforts to bring for the first time in Albania on March 16th 2019 GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR, the perfect opportunity for fruits and vegetables’ agrocollectors, exporters, producers, supermarkets, consultants and certification bodies.

More than hundred participants attended the one-day conference organised during the 2nd  Edition of Agro-Tech Expo & Forum 2019. The TOUR was a unique opportunity to meet the owners of one of the biggest standards in the world, to network and meet business partners and service providers.

“The certification of ’Made in Albania‘ products is a necessity for farmers in order to compete in high-value European markets. Through GlobalG.A.P certification, our companies will have more chances to sign better contracts with European buyers. GlobalG.A.P.certification means more income, security and jobs” – said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ermira Gjeçi during her opening remarks at the GlobalG.A.P. TOUR 2019

“Job creation in Agribusiness is not just about numbers, it is about quality of working conditions, and security of contracts with byers”- stressed during his remarks Stefan Joss, RisiAlbania project director.

“The solution for Albanian exports to access higher value markets is complying with required EU standards. It opens doors to EU supermarkets” – said Ejup Ahmeti from Doni Fruits export company. GlobalG.A.P is one of the certifications that guarantee food safety and safe working conditions for labourers, which leads to quality jobs

The Swiss funded project RisiAlbania has supported so far two agrocollectors for the implementation of group GlobalG.A.P certification. Tomato.al has already certified a group of farmers and managed to increase sales in the EU by one Million Euro, and in 2019 they plan to increase exports to EU destinations by 25%.

The GlobalG.A.P is a challenging standard for farmers, agricollectors and exporters, but through the Agroquality platform supported by Risi and launched during the conference, all the material is translated, with clear instructions provided for applying and obtaining the standard.