Photo Credit: AAC   USAID’s technical assistance and training enabled Albanian farmers to penetrate the fresh produce markets in the United Kingdom. In June 2009, over 120 metric tons of early-season watermelons were exported to the ASDA Supermarket, the British subsidiary of Wal-Mart. A long-term business relationship has developed between ASDA and Albanian agricultural exporters not only for watermelons but also for other cool-season vegetables.

Business Deal Facilitated by USAID Gains Momentum

DIVJAKË, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009     After a successful importation of early-season watermelons from Divjaka to the United Kingdom in June, two representatives of ASDA Supermarkets, the British subsidiary of Wal-Mart, the world’s largest food retailer, returned to Albania to work on the expansion of their procurement program.  ASDA’s Quality Systems Director and a Category Manager spent the week with Bruka Seedling Co. and farmers in Divjake to purchase late-season watermelons and discuss future exports.  To prepare for the next season, the representatives also trained staff on quality control standards. 

This is a direct result of the support provided by USAID through its Albanian Agriculture Competitiveness Program (AAC), which facilitated the commercial contact, trained Albanian farmers to meet GlobalGap standards and provided technical assistance to the exporter, Bruka Seedlings Company.

The Quality Systems Manager recognized the improvements recently made by Albanian producers and reiterated the commitment of their company to continue including them in their prodcurement programs. He underscored that  “the farmers from Divjaka and the quality control team at Bruka Seedling are working hard to meet our expectations, and so far they are.”

USAID is supporting input suppliers, farmers, processors and traders of strategic commodities to increase yields, enhance product quality and access high-value markets, through a comprehensive program aimed to support subsectors with the highest likelihood of promoting economic growth.