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IFC works on updating Georgian food safety legislation

Business Materials 6 April 2021 07:30 (UTC +04:00)
IFC works on updating Georgian food safety legislation

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 6

By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:

In close collaboration with the Georgian Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, International Finance Corporation (IFC) continues to work on updating Georgian food safety legislation and requirements for the beekeeping and honey processing sector, Trend reports via Georgian media.

As reported, the project is part of IFC’s regional program that has helped Ukraine and Moldova, among others, increase their agricultural potential.

IFC’s support of Georgia’s honey exports is a pilot effort that is expected to have a spillover effect on other agriculture sectors, spurring producers of other food products of animal origin to improve safety standards. That is especially important for products of animal origin, such as other beekeeping products, like pollen and royal jelly, aquaculture, and dairy. Once those products are accepted for EU import, demand in other markets, such as the Middle East and Asia, is likely to rise.

Georgian Ninidze’s company now produces several varieties of wild, natural floral honey that is likely to find a market in Europe with the help of IFC.

Georgia’s goal is to accelerate agriculture exports of products of animal origin, unlocking potential in areas where the country has a competitive advantage. Although the legal framework with the European Union allowed exports from Georgia, volumes of honey exports to Europe remained low.

In a combined effort, IFC and Georgia’s National Food Agency also worked to increase awareness among beekeepers. IFC started by supporting beekeepers with training and advisory support, from apiary management to layout planning for a new processing facility.

Around that time, the IFC Georgia Agribusiness Competitiveness Project—implemented in partnership with Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation, SIDA—engaged with the country’s public and private sectors to help boost agricultural exports.

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