Vegafruit exports again: We have opened foreign markets, we need support domestically

After the plant shutdown, AS GROUP took over the distribution of Vegafruit products, invested in restarting production, and saved jobs. It is now important that retailers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and domestic consumers support us, Patria reports.

Bosnian fruit and vegetable processor Swity d.o.o., owner of the well-known Vegafruit brands, after restarting production which had completely stopped by February this year, is again exporting its Swity juices, Fruby jams, and Vegy pasteurized vegetables. Through exports to the markets of the USA, Germany, Denmark, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, and Switzerland, a share of 20% of total sales was achieved in the first year of return to foreign markets.

- With our juices, jams, and pasteurized vegetables, we have managed to reopen demanding foreign markets. We need the support of domestic retailers and consumers, because currently 70 workers and their families, as well as several thousand contract farmers, live off our production. This year, we purchased about 4,000 tons of fruits and vegetables. We have paid the contract farmers in full for the purchase, and in that regard, we have almost no financial obligations to our suppliers, which we are very proud of - stated Haris Salihbašić, director of Swity d.o.o.

This is a great success and the first step in the future development of Vegafruit, whose production was completely stopped last year, putting jobs at risk.

- After the plant shutdown, at the end of last year, AS GROUP took over the distribution of all our brands, invested in restarting production, and thus saved jobs. It is now important that retailers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and domestic consumers support us, because only by buying domestic, health-safe, and quality products can we survive and continue to build our BiH - appeals Salihbašić.

The entire production process takes place according to the original traditional domestic recipe. Only fresh fruits and vegetables of controlled quality are used in the production process. All juices are without preservatives and sweeteners, as most sweeteners found in juices marketed in our country are not suitable for consumption and some of them are banned in the EU.