
Family from central Moldova village conquers world with dry plums
Double validity term, authentic taste: story of dry plums from Harbovat, Calarasi district, which conquer the world
Following the season of harvesting plums, the main role is played by those who dry and process them, especially by those who do this according to a unique technology in Moldova. The Prunesso brand is one of them. With international success, ambitious plans for future, the enterprise is set to be a leader in the sector.
Eight years ago, the company’s founder, Dumitru Covas, specialized in the export of fresh fruits, had to find a solution, in order to reduce the quick perishability of fruits. Thus, an idea appeared to dry and process the plums, creating a unique product both on the local market and the foreign one.
The Prunesso dry fruits distinguish themselves through special technology of processing, which gives them an authentic taste and an unusual duration of life for this type of product – as long as one year, as compared to the validity term of 6 months which similar products have.
Neli Covaș, marketing and sales director of Prunesso: ‘’We really speak about a specific product on our market, as no producer of dry plums provides validity term of one year, just as we do. We can be proud that we hold the biggest ovens for drying plums, in terms of length and capacity, from Moldova. And the equipment with which we work was adapted to the unique technology of processing.
A name both on the international and local markets
Wirth small, but sure steps, in just several years, Prunesso has managed to make a name, both on the international market and on the local one and even to begin staging at international exhibitions.
Neli Covaș: We participated in two exhibitions in 2023: Asia Fruct Logistica, in China, and Fruct Attraction, in Spain. This was a nice experience. Most visitors of our stand were surprised by such delicious products which come from Moldova. Demands appeared, but no cooperation agreements on dry fruits have been established with the Chinese side, for the time being. We had demands including from North America; yet, the logistic expenses are here excessive, regretfully. Respectively, we continue working on the European market.
Presently, the dry plums from Harbovat are exported to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, France, Morocco, Algeria, Italy and Germany. Nevertheless, in terms of export, there are challenges and strategies of reorientation of the product’s sale.
Neli Covaș: On the foreign market, the consumption of dry fruits has decreased practically twice in the last two years and this is related to the economic situation caused by the war in Ukraine. For this reason, we took the decision to redirect the activity to the networks of shops and we are happy that this already yields fruits.
The presence in dozens of networks of shops from Moldova and Romania
In this way, the Prunesso products are present in tens of networks of shops from Moldova and Romania.
Neli Covaș: Last year, we started the retail sale of our products on the domestic market and the one of Romania. I can say that we are the only providers which have no return of goods. We are set to enhance the presence especially in Romania. While at present, our plums can be found in 33 shops in the outskirts of Bucharest, till the end of this year, we are set to increase the figure to 200 shops.
The company commercializes from producers the variety of Stenley plums, which have a good resistance and adapts to the technologies of drying and processing. Nevertheless, the drought of this year had its impact on the raw material.
Neli Covaș: The harvest of this year is by about 60 per cent poorer against the last year. This made us purchase and dry by about 30 per cent less than 2023. Certainly, this will affect the prime cost of the products.
We make something wow!
There is a team of 35 employees behind the Prunesso dry fruits, who till the end of this year promise to give a helping hand for the diversification of the production and to give the consumers an original gustative experience.
Neli Covaș: Another four positions of products are to appear on shelves of shops, such as: dry and salted walnuts, mixes of walnuts. In the long run, we are set to launch also dry fruits in chocolate. We will try to provide a product different from the ones which we got used to see in shops. We prepare something wow!
Correspondent: Lilia Grubii
Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Wetlands - natural heritage assets, vital for country's sustainable development
Moldovan parliament speaker visits Romanian Army veteran, aged 106 years
Romanian Language and Culture Centre reopened at State University of Comrat
Romanian language textbooks distributed in kindergartens from Gagauz Autonomy
Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Three New Routes from Ungheni Enrich Country's Tourism Bid
Over 360,000 Moldovan citizens live in Transnistrian region
Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: rehabilitation works at Orheiul Vechi Reserve transforms destination into national, international Tourism Hub
Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: winter holidays end with Baptism of the Lord, marked by more traditions, customs
SUMMING-UP 2024// Centru Regional Development Agency: year full of achievements, important projects for Moldova's central region
Situation in agricultural sector discussed at meeting with Moldovan farmers, competent associations at government
Moldovan citizens encouraged to choose local products in context of Easter Holidays
+PLUS budget adopted by Moldovan parliament
Moldovan president's message in parliament
Moldovan president: We want just peace in Ukraine
PHOTO GALLERY // Moldovan President gave speech in plenary session of Parliament
Application of asking for military booklet to be able to be submitted online in Moldova
MPs held moment of silence in memory of rocket attack victims in Ukrainian city of Sumy
Parliament voted: elections to be held on 28 September
Firefighters give recommendations on fire, risk prevention during Easter Holidays in Moldova
Moldovan president: Peace and freedom can be much more easily ensured once we join EU
Moldovan president to deliver speech in plenary of parliament
LIVE // Moldovan President delivers speech in plenary of Parliament
Moldovans returning from abroad to receive guidance on finding employment at home
Moldovan deputy PM has meeting with European MPs of Green Volt Europa in Chisinau
Moldovan PM stresses importance to consolidate efforts to fight corruption