Jean Valvis, chairman of LaDorna group, one of the top five players in the dairy industry, says the company will start exporting organic products to Germany, England and the United States by the end of the year.
"We will have no exclusive distribution deals, we will work with more partners. Germany is the only country where we are considering the possibility to work with a sole supplier on all channels," says LaDorna group's chairman.
The company started exporting organic products in 2004, with Greece as the main destination. Last year, the sales of dairy products on the Greek market amounted to 4.5 million euros, the equivalent of approximately 8% of the group's turnover.
"This year, the exports of organic products will be maintained at last year's levels, since we did not have the raw materials to boost production," states Valvis.
According to the LaDorna official, the company will export over 6,000 tonnes of organic dairy products (pressed cheese, milk, cottage-cheese and feta cheese) next year, worth 22 million euros, namely half of the group's current turnover.
Valvis feels that, at the moment, the supply of organic products on the European market is not able to meet surging demand. "In England, for instance, the price of organic products is double the price of conventional products. Whereas, in Romania, the shelf-price of a kilo of organic cottage-cheese is 5.9 euros, in England, the same product costs 18 euros," Jean Valvis says.
LaDorna chairman also says that, although most of these products are currently exported, as of next year the company will introduce them on the domestic market as well.
"Next year we will reach a production capacity of organic milk standing at 30 million litres, out of a total of 60 million litres," he adds.
Valvis reveals that the export strategy will be tailored to each market's sp
