Improving quality of the Albanian products to meet the strict quality requirements and standards of the European most developed markets and making them increasingly competitive is at the core of the government’s agricultural support policies. One of the food factories that has recently benefited a funding of 10 million lek from the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA), “Dupi Frut” now exports its products to the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain after sophisticating garlic processing technology to produce a wide range of pealed, minced and powder garlic products.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the Kavaja-based factory, owned and administered by Dupi brothers, who launched one of the most interesting start-ups after returning home after living and working abroad in 2000 and “Dupi Frut” has now become a high-standard producer in the agro-processing industry.

“The factory has received support from ARDA to implement an investment worth 10 million lek in installing the drying and processing line and the garlic peeling compressor. The factory has obtained European standards certification for the EU market,” ARDA Director Frida Krifca said.

“Thanks to you and the support from Ministry of Agriculture, we have succeeded to enhance processing and production capacity to over two tons a year from a merely 200-kg previous capacity,” one of Dupi brothers explained.

The processed first quality products by Dupi Frut are exported to the Netherlands, England, Germany and New Zeland, while meeting the domestic demand for these products, mainly in Tirana, Kavaja and Divjake.

“The fact that our products have successfully made their way to the Dutch market, a country with strict requirements and standards, means that they meet highest food quality standards,” PM Rama noted.

He confirmed his government’s full support for investment plans to expand the factory’s production and agro-processing capacities.

“Your strengthening also means growing capacities for the farmers who own small land areas and it is not necessarily to mechanically join their land plots, but they can come together and create joint ventures. Everyone then does his own share by producing same products and use same technology. This is the agriculture we want, because providing funding without a clear investment plan in advance didn’t work earlier and nobody was satisfied. Therefore, we will strongly support you. Our objective is to support not only export of locally grown fresh produce, but also the agro-processing industry here,” the Premier said.

“Dupi Frut” has currently employed 30 workers and depending on the demand they plan to increase number of employees to over 100. The company has leased over 40 hectares of agricultural land and grows vegetables, cherry tomatoes and vineyards.

Their products have obtained national and international standards certification.