The international trade rules, EU´s regulations and import procedures, private industry quality standards as well as additional performance or quality marks can be a difficult hurdle for companies wishing to enter the EU, and other international, markets. In many cases, products must be tested and certified to ensure compliance with importer requirements to prove that EU requirements and private industry quality standards are being met. Therefore, exporters from West Balkan countries not only need appropriate production, processing, handling, trading, marketing technologies and know-how but also appropriate legal and institutional frameworks, competent control and auditing.

Data collected under the current IPA funded action show through simulation studies that initially export might grow from 120 to 150 million EUR in 3-5 years. Export potential shall be further enhanced if accompanied by noticeable structural shifts and reforms of agricultural systems.