Leading Dutch organic produce marketer Eosta BV has embarked on a joint venture with Bulgarian organic partner Gimel.
For the past two years Eosta has exported Gimel’s organic cucumbers and peppers, under the brand name Balkan Organics.
The aim of the new project is to further the development of Bulgaria’s organic greenhouse production.
The project has been commissioned in the framework of the PSOM programme initiated by both countries’ ministries of economics.
The joint venture company Gimel Biopack Ltd was established for sorting, packing and pre-cooling organic fruits and vegetables.
Eosta said the new enterprise followed an improvement in trade relationships between it and Gimel and was considered a logical step in developing Gimel’s production.
The existing operation at Gimel has been modernised with new machinery, equipment and pre-cooling chambers, according to the EU standards and regulations for food safety.
The company’s products are marketed in the UK via Sainsbury’s, as well as Rewe in Germany, and ICA in Sweden.
Eosta said the long-term aim of the jv is to see more greenhouses in Bulgaria converting to organic production.
