MEAT Sector Analyse

Meat Sector Study
The above SWOT analysis shows that there are several weaknesses and it will require
special efforts to make the sector competitive before participation in the EU market.
Summarising it could be said that the Albanian meat sector will need:
• More organised farmers; could be in joint companies or Producer Groups; PGs would
be important preconditions for improving the economic efficiency of the farming
community; experiences in other countries indicate that weakness regarding the
producers' fragmentation and badly organised sales activities could be overcome
considerably by forming producer and marketing associations;
• More vocational training, starting in school (age 10 – 15) and including also specific
courses for farmers; furthermore better management / business administration should
be offered at university level as output of universities do not fulfil the meat industry’s
requirements;
• More commercially oriented livestock keeping with an orientation towards ruminants to
avoid high fodder costs because fodder is presently imported;
• New slaughterhouses as Greenfield investments;
• Meat processing companies with better technology so that they will be able to process
local fresh meat on the long run.
A successful implementation of IPARD would require the following (not exhaustive list):
• Farmers must get informed by MAFCP about the agricultural policy, projects and
upcoming programmes, especially about subsidies;
• Farmers will need support in preparing project proposals; courses should be arranged
by MAFCP for their extension people as well as for interested private persons (farmers
and/or private consultants);
• Banks must get informed by MAFCP that farmers will apply for IPARD funds and
therefore part of the on-farm investments can be considered as co-financed (=reducing
risks for banks).
The meat sector is yet not well prepared for participation in the EU market; but the sector
could build-up strength to resist the resulting competition pressure by making better use of
the natural resources (especially the availability of pastures for ruminants) and the cheap and
motivated labour force at the processing industry. IPARD funds will be highly welcomed to
achieve the goal of improved competitiveness.
IX. IDENTIFICATION OF TRAINING NEEDS IN THE SECTOR
Based on the previous analyses the meat sector in Albania is facing a number of challenges
like awakening consumer food safety concerns, difficulties in attracting high calibre workers
and managers, stricter regulations for the industry while adapting to EU requirements and
increasing competition within a more liberalized market. Tailor-made training courses could
overcome these deficits. As each stakeholder in the meat sector has to face different
requirements the training needs might be grouped as follows:
• Training needs for farmers
• Training needs for slaughterhouse’s staff
• Training needs for meat processor’s staff
• Training needs for the public administration
Meat Sector Study, page 62