"Why", "how" and "when" food processing SMEs manage their path toward global market and "what" are the implications on their international performances caused by the collaboration with the global retail chains? The findings imply that the internationalization of the food processing SMEs is imperative if they want to be in line with the trends in the FMCG sector and global retail industry. Collaboration with global and regional retailing chains has positive impact on the SMEs internationalization process and on their overall business performances.