BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the EU supported Ecofarm - a leading organic food producer in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports citing the EBRD's press service.
Prior to the pandemic, the company improved its market performance by developing a customer relationship management program, which was implemented with the help of the EU's Advice for Small Businesses program.
Later, during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, the program assisted EcoFarm in reaching out to customers and promoting online delivery of eco-friendly groceries. It boosted company turnover and increased labor productivity by almost 50 percent.
"Advice for Small Businesses subsequently helped EcoFarm to develop a franchising strategy in 2020-21. The EBRD paired the company with a consultant who advised it to share its experience and develop long-term relationships with local and foreign franchisees. Within a year, EcoFarm had sold a franchise, which operates in the southern part of the capital, Bishkek," the EBRD said.
Recently, EcoFarm has changed its structure, closing two offline stores to focus on developing an online shop as well as shop-in-shop concept stores in popular hypermarket chains such as Frunze and Globus.
EcoFarm produces and processes a variety of organic food products, including nut butter, berries, dried fruits, granola and dairy products. The company also offers catering services, holds seminars on nutrition and organises outdoor activities, such as picnics or yoga classes.