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Kosovo Companies Increase Production Quality

On October 7, 2008, USAID Mission Director Patricia Rader presented the owner of Kosovo's first potato processing company, PESTOVA, with official Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and GlobalGap international food quality and safety standards certifications. This achievement is a result of USAID technical assistance and a cost-sharing grant, as well as the company's own investments.

For some time, the PESTOVA Company had been exporting potato chips to Macedonia and Albania. However it couldn't access other potential regional markets because the potatoes used for the company's VIPA brand chips were not grown according to GlobalGap standards. In addition, the processing facilities and staff required restructuring and training to meet modern food safety standards. With the adoption of HACCP standards, the company‘s owner made considerable investments to upgrade the processing facility and to contract for the services of a qualified certifying company. This accomplishment represents a major step forward for increasing the competitiveness of the Kosovo economy.

Through the Kosovo Cluster and Business Support (KCBS) Project, USAID has helped local food processors meet international food quality and safety standards. The KCBS Project, implemented by Chemonics International, concluded in Autumn 2008. Its work provides a strong foundation for the newly-launched USAID Kosovo Private Enterprise Program.

Patricia Rader, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director [left], presents HAACP and Global Gap food quality and safety standards certificates to PESTOVA.

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