Table Grapes Value Chain Baseline Screening

The program builds on the existing capacity and expertise of Macedonian professionals and lead firms and farms to create a new understanding in the market for imbedded business development services and fee-based service delivery. EPICENTAR International, a consulting company, is responsible for implementing the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable component of the AgBiz Program as the Lead Facilitator. EPICENTAR provides services such as market research, project management, and business representation to strengthen the capacities of individuals, private companies, and local communities. The company's ultimate objective is to become a reliable "partner of choice" for the implementation of donor and/or agency-funded projects. The Table Grapes Value Chain Baseline Screening report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Macedonian table grapes value chain. The report covers various aspects of the value chain, including producers and production trends, post-harvesting, markets, regulatory framework, and access to finance. The report also includes a list of acronyms and a table of contents, which outlines the structure of the report. The report highlights the importance of the table grapes value chain in Macedonia, with the country being one of the largest producers of table grapes in the region. The report also notes that the table grapes value chain is characterized by a complex network of actors, including input suppliers, producers, traders, and consumers. The report identifies several challenges facing the table grapes value chain, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of market information. The report provides an overview of the production trends in the table grapes value chain, including the production area, yield, and export quantity. The report also highlights the importance of the domestic market, which accounts for a significant share of the total production. The report notes that the export market is also an important outlet for table grapes, with the country exporting a significant quantity of grapes to neighboring countries. The report also examines the regulatory framework governing the table grapes value chain, including the legal framework regulating the market, food trade policies, and import tariffs. The report notes that the regulatory framework is complex and often conflicting, which can create challenges for producers and traders. The report also highlights the importance of access to finance, which is a critical constraint for many producers and traders in the table grapes value chain. The report concludes by highlighting the need for further research and analysis to better understand the table grapes value chain in Macedonia. The report recommends that policymakers and stakeholders take into account the findings of the report when developing policies and programs aimed at supporting the table grapes value chain.