A showcase operation is emerging in Central Asia
It all started in 2002 with an idea - to bring organic products from Uzbekistan to Europe. A few enthusiastic companies were quickly found and in 2003 a small business was launched in a suburb of Samarkand in southern Uzbekistan - Silk Road Organik Foods.

The first products were organic walnuts, almonds, apricots, black mulberries and sour cherries, all from wild collection. Demand quickly increased and a number of major customers were won. Over the years, a showcase business was created with modern drying, fruit and nut processing facilities, which can be operated practically self-sufficiently in terms of energy during the day thanks to 1000m2 of solar panels and photovoltaics.

The first Fairtrade products in Central Asia
From 2011, the first Fairtrade products were processed and certified in Uzbekistan and throughout Central Asia. The product portfolio expanded annually and the number of farming families increased. Initially, three Fairtrade smallholder cooperatives were established: Dustkul Bogi, Turkiston Gulba and Turob Bobo. The last two merged later. With the Fairtrade premiums, the water supply could be restored, wells drilled, heaters repaired and schools well equipped.

Wide range of high quality organic food
Today, the main products are organic walnuts, almonds, apricot kernels, peanuts and pistachios, as well as sour cherries, sweet cherries, strawberries, pomegranates, wild apricots, wild plums, black mulberries, different varieties of sultanas (Sultana, green Khorog, Manucca, Black Beauty and Black Bukhara) and many more. All products are organic, and a large part is also available in Fairtrade quality. Silk Road Organik Foods' products are used worldwide in retail and as ingredients for high-quality organic food.

A new partner for Pakka
While Silk Road Organik Foods' beginnings go back 20 years, our partnership with Pakka is still very fresh. While we have been sourcing organic fair trade chillies from Uzbekistan for our roasted cashews since 2016, it is only this year that we have had the opportunity to expand the collaboration, thanks to Pakka employee Josef and his Uzbek wife Elmira. Firstly, we are adding 19 delicious Uzbek products to the Pakka range, including different types of sultanas, dried fruits and nuts. On the other hand, we are directly supporting the Uzbek smallholder organisations by pre-financing their harvest and opening up new access to the European market for them.