Cheer Dried Fruit Finding New
International Markets
In the sun-soaked fields of Armavir Marz
lays an inspiring success story. The
Cheer company produces dried fruits and
vegetables for export and has been a DAIASME
partner for more than three years.
The Development Alternatives
Incorporated – Agricultural Small and
Medium Enterprise (DAI-ASME) project
has supported Cheer through various
training programs (traceability, food
safety/management) and cost-share
grants for participation in international
trade shows and for local marketing
activities. After improving product quality
and marketing, Cheer attracted more
customers, including new European
buyers in prime export markets such as
Switzerland and France. Indeed, Cheer
has needed to expand to meet demand,
and DAI-ASME provide two cost-share
grants to facilitate the expansion.
Cheer increased its production capacity
125% by adding 2 new solar dryers, 2
artificial gas-driven dryers, a processing
plant and a cold storage facility.
Additionally, Cheer has improved sanitary
conditions and implemented food-safety
control systems. As a result, 15 new jobs
were added, and Cheer’s export revenues
increased 158% to $110,000 in 2003.
Cheer has used its experience to benefit
others. With DAI-ASME support, the firm
provided two training programs for smallscale
solar dryer operators and it has been
active in developing sound out-grower
networks for the supply of raw materials for
their own drying operations.
Additionally, with DAI-ASME help, Cheer
has taken the lead in forming the Armenian
national “Association of Dried Food
Producers”. The Association was
established in April 2003, and it now counts
52 member producers who work together to
give the industry a united voice, share
information, and address shared challenges.
Dried fruit and vegetables continue to be an
important component of export development
in Armenia. DAI-ASME is supporting the
association as it expands its membersupport
and training services, and as it
expands its geographic outreach. This
cooperative effort between Cheer, the
Association and DAI-ASME promises to
bring further increases in Armenian exports
and employment.
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| Fruit being prepared to dry |
Beirut International Food Show Horeca 2004 |
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