The economy in Kosovo was seriously affected by the collapse of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, from as early as 1989, resulting in losses in trade with neighbouring countries and of western and eastern markets. Today Kosovo is unable to access funds that are available to EU accession countries (SAPARD) for upgrading the food sector in line with EU standards and commercial banks are reluctant to lend for agricultural development and only loans of less than one year repayment are available at relatively high interest rates.

The overall objective of this project is to improve the marketing of domestically produced agricultural and food products inside and outside of Kosovo and, thereby to contribute to the overall economic development of rural areas. More specifically, the programme which WYG International is implementing will:

• strengthen market information services;
• improve market access for local producers, with a specific attention to the different needs and opportunities of women and men in rural areas of Kosovo, by encouraging investment into, and the development of, wholesale/farmer/retail markets, post-harvest and added value activities, farmer marketing and enterprise groups and improved linkages between farmers, traders and processors;
• enable the further uptake of quality assurance programmes, in particular to ensure that buyers and consumers are properly informed regarding food products;
• encourage agri-trade across the Balkans and with the EU and develop schemes for improved promotion of Kosovo regional brands;
• deliver training, advisory and study programmes on agri-food marketing;
• contribute to the development and implementation of effective agri-marketing policies and help to strengthen the MAFRD capacity in this area.

The project will enable farmers to gain a better understanding of market opportunities and provide them with the necessary skills and information they need to be able to market surplus production more effectively. Furthermore, it will strengthen linkages between farmers, traders and processors with greater emphasis placed on improving overall product quality, branding, promotion and involvement in regional trading forums.