Healthier Forests (better chestnuts and a stronger local economy)

The chestnuts collected at the center come mainly from chestnut forests that were previously untreated and threatened by disease. Thanks to CNVP’s SUNREED project, supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina, these forests are now being actively treated, leading to healthier trees and improvement in the quality of chestnuts. This has brought new life not only to the forests but also to the livelihoods of local families who depend on them.

About the Center

Since 2003, Halim and Shkurte have been growing soft fruits and a variety of other fruit trees like walnuts, plums, and apples. In 2020 with the support of CNVP, they began cultivating 1 hectare of chestnuts. Since the center was established in October of 2024, they've collected over 3,000 kg of chestnuts from local villagers in the surrounding areas, including Junik, Mulliq, and Morine. The chestnuts are already being sold to major supermarkets across Kosovo, where they are in high demand.

Shkurte's Processing Vision

Shkurte has already started small-scale chestnut processing, including creating unique chstnut jams and compotes. Although production has been limited due to a lack of specialized equipment, she is determined to meet the growing demand for these products, as no one else in Kosovo currently produces and sells chestnut compote. With better machinery, Shkurte plans to expand production and increase efficiency.

 

What's Next for the Collection Center?

The Rrustemis are expecting a bumper harvest of 20-30 tons of chestnuts this season! With the newly established center, they will sort the chestnuts into three quality grades:

First Class: Packed in 3.5 kg quantities for direct sale.

Second Class: Sold in bulk.

Third Class: Processed into jam, packed, and stored for future use/sales.

To ensure quality and efficiency, Halim and Shkurte plan to invest in a dryer for chestnuts and a refrigerator for storage, so they can better preserve their products. With the right equipment, they believe they can significantly improve both production and processing.

"It's far more beneficial to grow and work with our own products rather than depending on others. With the right equipment, we will unlock so much more potential. Collaborating with my wife on this makes it even more rewarding!" - Halim shared.

The establishment of the Chestnut Collection Center was made possible with the support of CNVP’s SUNREED project, financed by the Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina. The assistance has been instrumental in helping local farmers like Halim and Shkurte expand and improve their operations.