An analysis by Bisnode, the Slovenian office of the global crediting and business intelligence company, has shown the bulk of revenue in the region's food sector is generated by large companies, which are more efficient than small ones.

Their number will reduce in the future as the sector is expected to undergo consolidation, Mrako Srabotnik of Bisnode told the first of four regional events organised by the EBRD and Infoarena to discuss prospects for the development of retail and agro-food industry.

Revenue and profit in the industry have been in a slight decline in recent years, but the situation differs from country to country. Whereas the largest number of food companies come from Serbia, Slovenia's are the most efficient although the fewest in the region.

They could further improve their efficiency through investment by the EBRD, which is looking for new opportunities in Slovenia's food industry, according to Miljan Žrdale, the EBRD's head of agribusiness in South-Eastern Europe.

The bank has invested EUR 77m in five projects from the agro-food business since 2001, but Ždrale would like for the investment to increase further.