Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
The clients of Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP) studied the experience of vegetable and fruit storage in Moldova enterprises
"We'd better not make mistake than successfully correct it. Now I possess knowledge how to construct a cold storage, how to load it correctly and how to make profit from this business!.." - such assessment of study trip to Moldova was made by one of AMP client, Lyudmila Sobol, the head of "Lyudmila" cooperative, Cherkasy oblast. It was a common opinion of all participants of study trip to Moldova organized by AMP. The trip objective was to study on practice the experience of farmers and commercial enterprises in Moldova concerning cold storage of fruits and vegetables with the aim to increase the profitability of fruit and vegetable production business.
Three-day study trip for AMP clients was realized by the specialists of the Agribusiness Development Project in Moldova financed by USAID and implemented by CNFA.
The AMP clients got information about various technologies of fruit, grape and vegetable storage. The great interest was excited by storing of apples in controlled atmosphere environment up to 12 months fully preserving quality and vitamin components. The premises and equipment for such kind of storing are rather expensive but they are compensated very rapidly. The stored apples are sold in March-April when prices reach maximum level. The controlled atmosphere storages visited by AMP clients have been recently constructed; new modern equipment is installed there. Such refrigerating storages could be constructed only by the companies with solid financial basis and large credit possibilities. The storages in village area look simpler. They are constructed in old premises and work on Moldavian and foreign equipment.
By the way, the topic of modern technologies of vegetable and fruit storage will be highlighted by the leading experts on the first international conference "Vegetables and Fruits of Ukraine: the Market of New Alternatives". The representatives of CNFA in Ukraine and Moldova, the specialists of Moldova companies specialized on vegetable and fruit storing and merchandizing will take part in the Conference.
Except cold storages AMP clients could see the work of drying unit where plum is dried, and also orchard and seedling nursery. Under the financial support of USAID in Moldova 85 agrishops have been opened and are working now servicing for five settlements each. In agrishops you can not only buy the needed commodity but also consult with the specialist. There are special rooms for training sessions and seminars on the modern technologies of vegetable, fruit, berries production.
The detailed information about AMP client's study trip to Moldova and the obtained materials will be published in the next "Agrooglyad" journal issues; you can already inquire for the materials in the regional AMP offices.