Supporting Program beneficiaries in their participation at national and international events is one of the key initiatives of the AGRI CAMP Program. This activity aids our beneficiaries in attending trade shows, fairs, and expos designed to enhance brand visibility for Armenian producers and facilitate connections with distributors, paving the way for export opportunities.

Of course, we could not miss such major exhibitions as Foodex Saudi, World Food and SIAL Paris that took place in September and October of this year.

On September 16-19, with the support of the AGRI CAMP Program, Garni Garden LLC, the company that engaged in the production of walnuts in the village of Garni, Kotayk marz, participated in the Foodex Saudi 2024 exhibition, which took place in Riyadh.

          

Meanwhile, Matevosyan Wine LLC participated in the World Food India 2024 exhibition held in New Delhi on September 19-22. The company produces its wines in the Aghavnadzor community of Vayots Dzor. In New Delhi Matevosian wines were presented by potential partners in India, with whom negotiations on further cooperation have already begun.

The SIAL Paris international Food Show, which is one of the world’s leading food industry events, concluded on October 23. Over five days, more than 285,000 professionals from around the world, including 44 companies from Armenia, gathered to discuss new trends and innovations in the food industry, working together to solve the challenges of the future of food.

Garni Garden LLC (Nuts production), TG Company LLC (Canned food production), Fruit Food LLC (Dried fruits production) and VanArdi LLC (Wine production) were the four Armenian companies who partook at SIAL, France, due to the support from USAID funded AGRI CAMP Program of ICARE-Armenia Foundation.

             

“Thanks to the AGRI CAMP Program, we had the opportunity to participate in such large international exhibitions for the first time ever, though prior to this, the Program had already helped us attend several national exhibitions,” said Ashkhen Barseghyan, Chief Accountant of Garni Garden.

According to AGRI CAMP’s beneficiaries, weather in Paris, Riyadh or New Delhi, there was constant enthusiasm around the Armenian pavilions. In India and Saudi Arabia, visitors were diverse—ranging from businessmen to ordinary residents. Meanwhile, in Paris, the audience was exclusively from the business world, with representatives from Europe, China, India, Serbia, Iraq, and beyond.

“There was tremendous interest in Armenian products at SIAL. We couldn’t have imagined that our product would attract globally renowned confectionery brands. We even exchanged contacts with one major company and now have high hopes for further collaboration,” shared Ashkhen Barseghyan.

              

When asked what might hinder exports, she mentioned that ‘there are still some challenges with production volumes”. However, “very soon, once the newly planted orchards reach full productivity, the company’s export prospects will expand significantly”.

“Participating in such major international exhibitions was an invaluable experience for us. We are grateful to the AGRI CAMP Program for offering us this unique opportunity.”