Austrian, Slovenian and Italian markets have already been conquered.
Although family farms cultivating and processing vegetables are not a rarity in Croatia, there are few of them that can boast 40 years of successful business tradition like Ciburiproduct. They have become the largest producer of cabbage in the region by focusing on one product as a key part of their range and on systemic investment into production. Ciburiproduct employs nine people and they also hire an increasing number of seasonal workers, reports Poslovni.hr on May 2, 2016.
In addition to strong competition, Ciburiproduct family farm from Pazin has also faced the challenge of transition from the traditional way of selling vegetables at the open market to selling at the supermarket chains, which changed the customers’ habits. Open markets have shorter work hours, so many people buy produce at grocery stores. The demands of the businesses towards producers are somewhat different and they pertain to larger quantities of produce, safe supply, standard quality, functional packaging and low prices. Ciburiproduct has adapted to all these new conditions and they market their produce through distribution networks of the national wholesale companies and retail chains, while simultaneously exporting to the Austrian, Slovenian and Italian markets.
“The business climate in the production of sauerkraut and the strong competition in Croatia push us to constantly work on the quality of produce. Our mission is to offer natural and healthy products to the consumers, from the field to the table, that were grown according to the highest standards which ensure the highest quality”, said the owner Dean Matić.
The company kept investing into the farming machinery and the processing facilities, Matić said, and they also use state incentives. Matić added that they were now ready for the next step – EU competitions for the production modernization in order to get as close to European standards as possible. All these development steps have proven to be a major factor in getting over some basic problems such as positioning in the markets. Because cabbage is the most present vegetable variety in this part of Europe, the competition on the market is very strong. Ciriproduct’s solution are large production capacities and the work season that lasts all year round.
