Assignment overview: USAID Agribusiness Development Project provides range of Technical Assistance services to Moldovan High Value Agriculture sector. Two companies that recently acquired flash freezing facilities are critical links for development of HVA value chains in Moldova with particular focus at IQF fruits and vegetables. The assignment is designed to provide valuable equipment and technology advice for those two operations.
Scope of Services and Deliverables required: Consultant(s) will work with client companies? owners, managers and IQF facilities operators, visit the physical plant, conduct assessment of equipment available and technologies used and provide targeted recommendations for each company visited. Below are short descriptions of each company operations and specific focus of the assignment:
Natur Bravo ? largest fruits and vegetable processor in Moldova comprised of three canneries ? Cupcini and Floresti located in the North and Ungheni, located in the West of Moldova. Company major products are apple juice concentrate, canned fruits and vegetables (jars and tins) and Tetra pack juices. Flash freezing facility, located at Cupcini Cannery, last several years was rented to an outside company and operated occasionally. New owners ? Western NIS plan total refurbishing of the facility by 2007 season and in need of professional independent audit of existing facilities and recommendations for upgrade.
Orhei ?Vit ? second largest cannery of Moldova located in central part of the country. Major products are apple juice concentrate, canned fruits and vegetables (jars), baby food canned produce, Tetra pack juices, jams and comfitures. End of 2005 Orhei-Vit acquired an idle cannery (Causeni, South-Eastern part) and negotiates procurement of outdated but operating flash freezing operation on the same territory. Over 20- year old Frigoscandia IQF tunnel was re-launched in Causeni 3 years ago. Orhei ?Vit with EBRD funding assistance plans refurbishment of the facility and add green filed 3 tons/hour IQF + 1,500 tons LT cold storage in 2007.
Deliverables for both facilities include:A trip to Alfa-Nistru IQF facility is scheduled to get acquainted with modern Flash freezing operations as well as provide fresh independent expert look of equipment and technologies utilized.
The consultant will be requested to prepare individual reports for each visited company as well as overall assignment for CNFA with recommendations on areas where CNFA assistance could be most efficient for developing of Moldovan IQF sector.
Consultant(s) Qualifications: The consultant(s) should hold a US passport, have practical experience managing an IQF facility, possess freezing and LT refrigeration equipment knowledge, be able to evaluate the whole frozen food technological process (from raw materials receiving to final product dispatching) and be familiar with latest frozen food market trends. Working or consulting experience in Central and Eastern Europe is welcome.
