Small and medium sized enterprise (SME)

A small and medium-sized enterprise is a business that operates with a number of employees below certain limits. This number varies by context. Generally, small enterprises have fewer than 50 employees and medium-sized companies have less than 250 employees. SMEs are an essential part of the food system in many countries around the world. Particularly in low- and middle-incomes countries, SMEs may be providers – as producers, processers, transporters, venders – of much of the food consumed by low-income consumers.