Australia Study Tour of Macedonian Processed Companies

Australian consumers have a strong preference for ethnic cuisines, with 75% of ready meal sales attributed to Indian, South-east Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean recipes. This demand presents a significant opportunity for Macedonian processed vegetable companies to increase their exports. In response to this potential, the USAID AgBiz Program, through its subcontractor the Macedonian Consulting Group (MCG), organized a Study Tour and Business to Business (B2B) Meetings in Australia in March 2012. Five leading processed vegetable companies, including Trgoproduct, Altra, Bonum Plus, Univerzal Promet, and Lars, participated in the tour. The objective of the study tour was to improve the export of Macedonian processed vegetables by organizing tasting presentations and B2B meetings with Australian importers, distributors, and traders in Melbourne and Sydney. The Australian study tour provided Macedonian companies with the opportunity to learn about the latest market trends and specifications of competing products available in the Australian market. The tour was deemed a success, with two participating companies concluding three new contracts and realizing exports of Macedonian products valued at over $910,000. The General Manager and Owner of Lars, Mr. Darko Naskov, noted that the study tour was "intensive but very productive," allowing the company to gain valuable insights into the Australian food market and establish connections with potential customers. The success of the Australian study tour is expected to lead to a significant increase in exports of Macedonian processed vegetable products. The Macedonian community in Australia will be able to enjoy the flavor of homeland this summer, as a result of the increased availability of Macedonian processed vegetables. The promotion of Macedonian processed vegetable products has attracted attention in the Macedonian community media, highlighting the potential for further growth and development in this sector. The Macedonian processed vegetable industry has identified Australia as a key market for expansion, driven by the demand for ethnic cuisines. The success of the Australian study tour demonstrates the potential for Macedonian companies to capitalize on this demand and increase their exports. With the right support and infrastructure in place, Macedonian processed vegetable companies can continue to grow and develop their presence in the Australian market.