For Immediate Release
Press Release
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided new flash freezing equipment to Green Export KG, a fruit storage facility in Kadamjai district of Batken oblast. The new equipment enables Green Export KG to process up to 20 tons of raspberries per day. Flash freezing allows storage of raspberries for longer periods. This will help increase raspberry exports to neighboring countries.
With expanded capacity, Green Export KG has become a new stable buyer for more than 500 households in Kadamjai who produce raspberries in their homes. Since the company started its operations in the region, the price for raspberries went from average 50KGS to 200KGS per kilo significantly increasing the earnings of smallholder producers.
“Improving storage and finding new markets is the key to boosting agricultural production in the Kyrgyz Republic. Especially for products like raspberries which are quite unique in the region. We already see that this investment has created more jobs and benefited hundreds of families. That is our ultimate goal,” noted Kaya Adams, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Mission Director.
The flash freezing equipment, worth more than 4 million KGS, was provided through USAID’s Agro Trade project. This flash freezing technology preserves the fruit’s cellular structure, all useful trace elements, and up to 9 percent of vitamins. “We have eight years of experience in growing and selling raspberries and two years in exporting frozen products to neighboring countries. Now, thanks to USAID support, we are expanding our activities and intend to continue our cooperation with local farmers, train them on proper cultivation and harvesting of raspberries, which will lead to improved quality and production,” says Mr. Aktoro Sattarov, head of the facility.
The USAID Kyrgyz Republic Agro Trade Activity works to increase jobs and incomes in Kyrgyzstan by enhancing the competitiveness of Kyrgyz agricultural businesses and expanding trade opportunities with Uzbekistan.
For more detailed information, please contact Nadira Makhkamova at nmakhkamova@kyrgyzagrotrade.com or +996770268337.
