RCI Agribusiness WorkshopNovember 10, 2009 Skopje

AgBiz Market Information Support

Market Information

• Useful export market agbiz information (AMI) is sorely lacking

• Contributes to weak value chain linkages– Especially production with market demand

• +/-75% of MK agribusiness product exports go to ex-Yugoslav markets

• Several regional & EU AMI sources exist• An AMIS is an EU accession requirement

– But the info seems solely for Brussels

• Good input from RCI regarding very general AMI

AgBiz AMI Work• Croatia Market Profiles for fresh vegetables and table

grapes– Minimal customer interest

• Six month trail contributions to a Regional Market Information section of FFRM’s Moja Zemija magazine– Includes a two page AgBiz article– Good response; subscriptions increased, readership

broadened to include agribusinesses & ad revenue increased

– AMIS recently agreed to contribute their AMI – Agreement extended for 11 more months– Sustainability of the only agr related magazine/publication

enhanced

Monthly RMI Section of FFRM’s Moja Zemija

AgBiz AMI Work

• 10 Value Chain Market Information Newsletters/Year– AMI & market-oriented news about the VC to VC

participants & stakeholders including GoM, USAID, Other Donors, Media etc.

– 370 relevant individuals/institutions receive the AgBiz AMI Materials

– Not sustainable; fairly staff LoE intensive– Good reception

• Wine Exports Database– For internal tracking & use in Newsletters– Not sustainable

Wine Market Information Newsletter

Wild Gathered Products Market Information Newsletter

Media Articles Resulting from AgBiz AMI Work

Discussion Points

• What are other regional agribusiness projects doing related to AMI?

• How can we effectively tap into others AMI resources and work?

• Useful sources of EU AMI?

• How to increase awareness and use of AMI by customers?

• Greater role for RCI?