“In 3-4 weeks we are going to present our first products to stores,” stated Adrian Cocan, funder of Agroserv Mariuta.
The new unit was built using the funds raised from the MILK25E bond issue.
“We started investments in the plant with a EUR3 million budget, but we overshot it. Less than 20 employees will be needed in the new sector when we near full capacity, we’ve retooled and automated everything at the new plant, we’ve redistributed employees”.
At this moment, the plant’s capacity amounts to 57 tons of raw milk daily, according to Adrian Cocan.
“We have 18 products listed on the Romanian market and are set to launch another 12 in the next six months. We have two small export contracts and we are in talks with other companies for major networks outside Romania”.
The local dairy market was valued at EUR1.5 billion in 2021. Cocan expects the market to grow by 4-5% this year.
Laptaria cu Caimac is present in all the major store networks of Romania, except discounters, but it’s also looking at online stores.
“We are planning further investments, we hope we will be able to start building a jar and bottle rinsing unit”,” said Adrian Cocan. He added that should the two plants’ production capacity hit full capacity, new warehouses will definitely be needed. Moreover, a biogas station is urgently needed.
In 2020, Agroserv Mariuta reported RON48.7 million turnover, up 21% on the year.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)