New EBRD initiative will help to establish supplies of fruits and vegetables from Central Asian countries to Mongolia

The Apples to Mongolia Initiative by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aims to enhance the availability of fruits in Mongolia by establishing trade links between the country and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. This initiative addresses the challenges of high logistics, storage, and delivery costs that limit fruit accessibility in Mongolia. The program has facilitated business meetings to connect potential buyers and suppliers, focusing on fruits like cherries, apples, and table grapes, which are currently expensive and not widely available in Mongolia due to high transportation costs and requirements for short shelf life products. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of meeting European packaging standards to satisfy Mongolian consumers. Successful partnerships between Central Asian fruit producers and Mongolian importers are already being formed, providing hope for improved access to a wider range of fruits at more affordable prices for the Mongolian population.