Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ “Mongolian sea buckthorn to the global market”, the first forum of sea buckthorn cluster took place on November 10 at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI). The forum attendees had presentations and discussions under the themes of state policy in the field of fruit sector, export possibilities of sea buckthorn products to the global market and the development of sea buckthorn cluster.

The MNCCI and the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry have been successfully implementing “Pro Value” project in Uvs aimag in aims of supporting sea buckthorn value chain. 

Furthermore, the European Union funded Trade Related Assistance to Mongolia (TRAM) Project was launched in 2018 and the sides are working to diversify Mongolia’s economy, strengthen production of value-added, non-mining products, to support better access of Mongolian export products to international markets as well as to improve capacity of public and private organizations.

"Fruits and berries are cultivated on around seven thousand hectares of area nationwide and sea buckthorn makes up over 90 percent of it. We are focusing on the export of pure sea buckthorn oil and juice, which are two main semi-processed export-oriented products. As the consumers in foreign countries are highly interested in these products, greater emphasis should be placed on its export alongside ensuring domestic need. The Mongolian National Association of Fruits and Berries has been cooperating with the Institute of Economics since 2012 in the sea buckthorn cluster development. Thanks to the collaboration, certain amount of sea buckthorn products are being exported to countries such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Additionally, we are working hand in hand with the Pro Value and TRAM projects towards exporting sea-buckthorn products especially, sea buckthorn oil to the European market for starters," Board member of Mongolian sea buckthorn cluster D.Nasanjargal said. 

Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Uvs Food” JSC L.Munkhnaran emphasized that Uvs Lake Basin is a globally recognized natural complex ecosystem and wild berries and planted fruits growing in the area is our products’ main feature and advantage. There is also a union of sea buckthorn growers and manufacturers in Uvs aimag, who registered “Uvs Sea buckthorn” geographic indication for the first time in Mongolia. It makes our products distinctive and origin of the products clear. Our company uses supercritical C02 extraction to produce sea buckthorn oil. Moreover, German technology is applied in production of sea buckthorn jam and juice. We are also carrying out a long-term program for the export of our products. The purpose of the program is to introduce the quality management system at all levels of the company. Global G.A.P standard is being naturalized in our sea buckthorn cultivation as well. These efforts are expected to create condition that the quality of Uvs sea buckthorn is internationally accepted and recognized. 

During the forum, a ceremony to hand over certificate of sea buckthorn cluster took place as well. And the forum attendees shared their views and experiences under five themes including product development and innovation, strategy to access to the EU market and branding.

Opening of the sea buckthorn cluster and its first forum was participated by over 100 delegates from companies and business entities that produce and export sea buckthorn products.