Kosovo’s food sector strengthens foundations for systemic rural growth

For over a decade, Kosovo’s food sector has quietly transformed. From modest beginnings, it is now a growing driver of rural employment, economic competitiveness, and export potential. Behind this progress lies a strategic, long-term partnership: the Promoting Private Sector Employment (PPSE) project, implemented by Swisscontact and the Riinvest Institute, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Anchored in Local Leadership

For over a decade, Kosovo’s food sector has quietly transformed. From modest beginnings, it is now a growing driver of rural employment, economic competitiveness, and export potential. Behind this progress lies a strategic, long-term partnership: the Promoting Private Sector Employment (PPSE) project, implemented by Swisscontact and the Riinvest Institute, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

This transformation is grounded in systemic change rooted in local ownership. This message was echoed at the national conference “Development of the Food Sector in Kosovo: Achievements and the Road Ahead,” where key actors gathered to reflect on a journey shaped by cooperation, innovation, and shared goals.

Venera Çerkini, representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, highlighted the sector’s strategic importance: “"The agriculture and food sector remains one of the most important pillars of our country’s economic development. This sector not only provides food for our citizens but also sustains rural areas and offers sustainable employment opportunities for thousands of families in Kosovo", said Mrs. Venera Çerkini, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture.” 

This was reinforced by Jean-Christophe Favre, representing the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo, who emphasized the impact of linking value chain actors and strengthening competitiveness through PPSE.

Systemic Impact Through a Value Chain Approach

PPSE has worked across the entire food value chain—supporting farmers, processors, certifiers, exporters, and policymakers. Through targeted interventions, it helped:

• Improve food safety and organic certification standards,
• Expand market linkages and exports,
• Foster innovation in food processing,
• And promote inclusive growth through local entrepreneurship.

As Fisnik Reçica, Director of Swisscontact in Kosovo, stated during the conference: “True transformation happens when local actors take ownership of solutions. That’s how we achieve lasting, system-level change.”

Stories of Change and Opportunity

Diana Rexhepi and Avni Ramadani, representing the PPSE team, presented the results of 12 years of engagement: a measurable increase in sector competitiveness, stronger linkages across stakeholders, and enhanced resilience within the local food ecosystem.

Real success is seen in the stories of businesses like Agro Celina, Bliff-Organik, Liostep, and Ananas Impex, local companies that have expanded operations, adopted certification standards, and reached new export markets. Their testimonials shared at the conference showed how structured support and clear market orientation can unlock rural potential.

A Model for Future Engagement

Swisscontact’s work through PPSE represents a model of how development cooperation can support economic sectors in becoming more inclusive, competitive, and resilient. It demonstrates how donor support, when aligned with national priorities and driven by local actors, can lay the groundwork for broader systemic change.

As Kosovo looks to the future, the collaboration between public institutions, private actors, and development partners continues to be the foundation for a food sector that contributes to shared prosperity and sustainable rural development.