Crono Srl, a Forlì-based company has won the international tender promoted by the World Bank in Albania and the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at designing the first olive-growing cluster in the Western Balkans.
With over 25 years of experience in international territorial and agri-food development projects, Crono will lead a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the Albanian olive oil supply chain, which is rapidly expanding and oriented towards models of quality, sustainability and promotion of territorial origin.
The project, which will be coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Albania, will be developed by an international team of experts from the University of Bologna, the Agricultural University of Tirana and CIHEAM Bari, ensuring a scientific, operational and integrated approach.
‘This award,’ comments Gianluca Bagnara, ‘represents an important recognition of our experience in developing international projects that aim to integrate technical expertise, territorial experience and a sustainable vision of agri-food supply chains. Our goal is to contribute to the creation of an innovative and sustainable olive-growing ecosystem, enhancing the distinctiveness of the territories and strengthening local production and organisational capacities.’
The project is part of the growing cooperation between Italy and Albania in the agricultural sector, which has been strengthened in recent years by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Italian and Albanian Ministries and the active role of Italian Development Cooperation. Agriculture accounts for about 20% of Albania’s GDP, and the olive sector is one of the most dynamic, with a steadily growing production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
In this context, the Emilia-Romagna olive-growing system plays a leading role, including through the “EVOOlution” programme, promoted over the last three years in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Tirana. EVOOlution has been an important initiative to promote the culture of extra virgin olive oil in Albania, consisting of key training and sensory training sessions carried out in collaboration with the DISTAL Department of the University of Bologna, promoting quality excellence and sensory awareness among local producers and operators.
‘It is an important project for affirming the role of the Italian quality system in relation to the Albanian olive oil supply chain,’ recalls Lorenzo Ciapetti, who is responsible for coordinating the operational activities of the international team, emphasising that “we will bring supply chain expertise through the contribution of leading Italian players, including major olive oil companies, specialised nurseries, producers and consortia that own PDO brands. Emilia-Romagna will have a particularly strong presence, as it is currently the leading region in Italy in terms of quality supply chain knowledge with a high degree of territorial characterisation.”
The main objectives of the new project include:
· the establishment of an olive-growing cluster in the Berat region of Albania;
· the launch of a process for the recognition of PDO designations;
· the development of an international marketing plan to promote high-quality Albanian oil
· the definition of a structured training programme for the development of professional skills in the olive oil supply chain.
To support the project, a Steering Committee will also be set up, composed of qualified actors from the Italian olive oil supply chain, with the task of accompanying and assisting the development of the Albanian supply chain, promoting the transfer of knowledge and experience in sustainable development.
EVOOlution 