For the first time, Albania participated in North America’s "Food Ingredients Trade Fair" on October 30-31, 2024, marking a significant milestone for Albanian agribusinesses as they showcased their products to over 18,500 industry professionals from around the world in Las Vegas. This event provided Albanian producers with an unparalleled opportunity to present their heritage-rich agricultural products on a prominent international stage.
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| Albania's stand at the North America Food Ingredients Trade Fair |
At the Albanian pavilion, booth 1231, leading producers of olive oil, medicinal herbs, and aromatic plants attracted numerous visitors eager to learn more about Albania’s rich agricultural traditions. Visitors engaged with company representatives who are dedicated to quality, innovation, and sustainable practices, creating a vibrant atmosphere around the booth and reinforcing Albania’s potential in the global market.
This initiative is part of the “Eastern Trade Promotion: Balkan and Central Asia States” project, organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) with support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organized the pavilion for this year’s “Food Ingredients North America” fair, providing Albanian companies a platform to increase exports and support regional economic development. Backed by ITC and AIDA, the event opens doors for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Albania, promoting products deeply rooted in tradition and prepared for today’s global markets.
Networking, Innovation, and Learning for the Future
This trade fair is more than a commercial exhibition; it’s a hub of innovation where professionals across the food, beverage, and health industries gather to explore the latest trends and technologies. With over 1,300 exhibitors, the fair offers Albanian companies a valuable networking opportunity to connect with key experts, discover new technologies, and discuss trends shaping the industry. Alongside networking, these companies gain crucial insights into North American consumer demands, from organic certifications to the growing interest in plant-based and “free from” products.
Through this engagement, Albanian companies can refine their products and expand their offerings, taking advantage of ITC and AIDA’s support to elevate their competitiveness on the global stage.
The fair also provides access to seminars and expert talks on sectoral topics like sustainability and digital transformation, aligning closely with the strategic goals of the Albanian Pavilion. This exposure to industry trends offers participating businesses valuable knowledge that can strengthen Albania’s agribusiness sector.
A Historic Moment for Albania’s Agribusiness Sector
As Albania continues to make strides in sustainable agriculture, the North American trade fair stands as a pivotal milestone for the nation’s agribusiness sector. This chance to share Albania’s story with a global audience reflects ITC’s mission to promote "trade impact for good" by fostering trade practices that benefit people and communities. For Albanian companies, this event is not only a business venture but also a chance to showcase Albania’s commitment to preserving natural resources and embracing sustainability.
With the support of ITC, AIDA, and SECO, the Albanian Pavilion demonstrates how small businesses can make a big impact when given the right platform. “We are excited to bring our products to Las Vegas and share a piece of Albania’s heritage and innovation with the world,” says Genti Beqiri, ITC Project Manager for the initiative. “Albanian companies are ready to meet the global demand for high-quality, natural, and sustainable products, and we believe this event will be a stepping stone to their future success.”