A 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, various types of raisins (Sultana, green Khorog, Manucca, Black Beauty and Black Bukhara) and much more. All products are organic, and the majority are also available in Fairtrade quality. Silk Road Organik Foods’ products are used worldwide in retail and as ingredients in high-quality organic foods. ​

A new partner for Pakka

Whilst Silk Road Organik Foods was founded 20 years ago, our partnership with Pakka is still relatively new. Although we have been sourcing organic Fairtrade chillies from Uzbekistan for our roasted cashews since 2016, it was not until 2023 that we had the opportunity to expand our collaboration, thanks to Pakka employee Josef and his Uzbek wife Elmira. On the one hand, we are expanding the Pakka range with 19 delicious Uzbek products, including various types of raisins, dried fruit and nuts. On the other hand, we are supporting Uzbek smallholder organisations directly by pre-financing their harvests and opening up new access to the European market for them. ​

A model business in Central Asia

It all began in 2002 with an idea – namely, to bring organic products from Uzbekistan to Europe. A number of enthusiastic companies soon came on board, and in 2003 a small business was set up 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 wild-harvested. Demand grew rapidly and a number of major clients were secured. Over the years, a model business has emerged, featuring modern drying, fruit and nut processing facilities, which can operate virtually self-sufficiently during the day thanks to 1,000 m² of solar panels and photovoltaic systems.​

The first Fairtrade products in Central Asia

From 2011 onwards, the first Fairtrade products were processed and certified in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia. The product range was expanded annually and the number of farming families increased. Initially, three Fairtrade smallholder cooperatives were established: Dustkul Bogi, Turkiston Gulba and Turob Bobo. The latter two later merged. The Fairtrade premiums enabled the water supply to be restored, wells to be drilled, heating systems to be repaired and schools to be well equipped. ​