Enabling expansion of agrifood trade in the Western Balkans

Overview
Project Summary Document

TCRS 24902-166813

Status TC Com approved

Location

Regional

Industry Sector

Food and Agribusiness

Notice Type

State

PSD Disclosed

02 Nov 2026

Project Description

Enquiries

Business opportunities

For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company.

For business opportunities with EBRD (not related to procurement) contact:

Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com

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Tel: +44 20 7338 6794
Email: procurement@ebrd.com

General enquiries

Specific enquiries can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.

TCRS 24902-166813

Status TC Com approved

Location

Regional

Industry Sector

Food and Agribusiness

Notice Type

State

PSD Disclosed

02 Nov 2026

Project Description

Although tariff barriers to trade in agricultural products in the Western Balkans region are generally low, due to gradual convergence to duty-free trade with the European Union and within the region, a number of non-tariff barriers and measures in the region remain, hindering further trade expansion.

The project therefore aims to enhance regulatory efficiency and transparency in relation to the agri-food trade in the Western Balkans region, support improvements in the control and inspection systems and enhancement in the laboratory capacity, facilitate public–private cooperation in this area and, overall, contribute to strengthened food safety and quality in the region.

Rationale

For over 25 years, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (“FAO”) and the EBRD have been working together to drive more sustainable food systems and private sector development, combining technical expertise and investment capacity in the Bank’s regions of operations. In recent decades, the joint FAO/EBRD work has supported the emergence of commercially viable, environmentally sustainable, and resilient local food supply chains across subsectors in the Western Balkans and other regions.

Building on past results and lessons learned, FAO and EBRD are committed to extending support and upscaling ongoing efforts to upgrade quality standards and promote the adoption of best practices, strengthen the capacity of small-scale producers, and streamline market access. This in turn, can provide opportunities for further business for larger players.

TC Services

The project would focus on the following key areas and activities:
1. Strengthening food quality and safety regulatory frameworks
2. Enhancing trade transparency and efficiency
3. Strengthening risk-based customs procedures
4. Promoting regional trade harmonization
5. Support to private sector implementation

Procurement Enquiries

Any competitive selections for business opportunities relating to this project will be published on the EBRD's website: Consultancy Procurement Opportunities.

General enquiries

EBRD project enquiries not related to procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com

Access to Information Policy (AIP)

The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2025. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.

Specific requests for information can be made using the Information Request form.

Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)

If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).

IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy 2024 or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.

Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism page to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.

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Enabling expansion of agrifood trade in the Western Balkans

Project Description

Enquiries

Business opportunities

General enquiries

Project Description

Procurement Enquiries

General enquiries

Access to Information Policy (AIP)

Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)