“Our dream is to build a cooperative model similar to BelOrte”

Eco-Logistic still supplies several retailers with cherries, apricots, plums and grapes in Belarus and Latvia – prices are stable, and some weeks even high, begins sales manager Gheorghe Chisalita – but 70% of this Moldovan fruit merchant’s production goes to Western Europe. “This is a conscious choice. Plus, transport to France, the Netherlands and Germany is now 1,000-2,000 euros cheaper than to Belarus or Latvia, which easily cost 5,000 euros during the season,” he says.

Eco-Logistic managers Gheorghe Chisalice and Ciprian Topa

The name Eco-Logistic refers, on the one hand, to the importance that the fruit trading company attaches to sustainable development, and on the other hand, to what the co-owner of the logistics business, Ciprian Topa, had previously done. The company exports about 3,000 tons per year, a figure expected to double in the coming years. “However, this is not expected this year. The entire fruit harvest is about a third smaller due to poor weather conditions at different stages of cultivation,” says Gheorghe.

From Belarus to France
When the company was founded in 2017, it was focused on exporting fruits to Belarus and Latvia. In 2019, contacts were made in Romania, Poland and Germany, with France and the Netherlands added during the pandemic. In 2024, Eco-Logistic will export almost three quarters of its fruit to Western European countries. “Products that look a little worse, but are still of high quality, remain in Eastern Europe.”

Plums at the Rungis wholesale market

In France, through their distribution company SAS Terra Moldova, which handles logistics and ensures that products meet the strict quality requirements of the French market, they have a direct path to serving the French market quickly and efficiently. But France is not the easiest market, Gheorghe admits.

“There are many restrictions, the French are no strangers to bureaucratic procedures, and they like to protect their own production. But by working there with a large local distributor, we managed to gain a foothold. Quite a few kilograms of our plums are sold on the stock exchange. Rungis wholesale market with Vale brands Oh! and Terra Moldova. However, it cannot be denied that the Moldova brand is doing better in the markets of Belgium, Holland and especially Germany. Germany was familiar with our plums even before they were discovered. the product is fresh, significant volumes have already been sent there for processing.”

Once Eco-Logistic is able to pack the containers (plans are currently being developed), they will contact German retailers. “We also supply a large Dutch importer with boxes of our Terra Moldova brand, and soon we will add Vermar to offer a more premium option. It is a beautiful word derived from the names of both of our wives: Veronica and Marina,” explains Gheorghe. .

Noisy autumn months
Regarding logistics in the EU, he explains that congestion at the Romanian border can be expected in the last three months of the year. “That’s when a lot of plums and grapes are exported, as well as grain from Ukraine going to the port of Constanta. Sometimes there are more than 500 trucks queuing there. And although the fresh fruit machines have a “perishable goods” sign, they sometimes have lines. At the beginning of September we load about three trucks a week, by the beginning of October there are already 10, and by the end of the month there are already more than 15. And we are clearly not the only exporter.”

Analysis and credit
Eco-Logistic receives fruits from regional producers. To obtain uniform batches, which is absolutely necessary for export to the European Union, the company carefully sorts by quality and size, and carefully analyzes color in accordance with the phytosanitary requirements of the target market. “Producers need to be part of this story, and we are helping them do that. In March and April we open a loan,” says the sales manager.

“They can acquire all the necessary resources to supply products that meet the established quality standards. We also provide financial support for larger investments. in these times of climate change – we are happy to help. For a smaller area this does not make sense; the return on investment is simply too low.”

BelOrta as a model
Georgy’s dream is to build a cooperative model. “I once visited BelOrta in Belgium, and what I saw there opened my eyes,” he recalls. “I have nothing but admiration for such organizations.” However, it will take years to achieve something like this in a country where, after half a century of communism, minds are not open to cooperatives in a free market. This will require young producers at a time when many current producers are approaching retirement age. And yet it will work. Some manufacturers are becoming larger, although not large enough to reach retailers in Western Europe on their own. To succeed, we must join forces.”

In addition to planting a super-intensive plum orchard and vineyard, Eco-Logistic plans to build a large complex with refrigeration facilities and modern sorting and packaging lines in the next few years. Now they rent premises for this purpose, sort and pack by hand. “But as requirements in destination markets become more stringent, sorting by internal quality will become a necessity,” concludes Gheorghe.

For more information:
Gheorghe Kisallice (commercial director)
Eco-Logistic Group LLC
st. Kalya Orheiului, 107, off. 100, Chisinau, MD2020 – Moldova
Mobile: +373 68 178 725
(email protected)
https://ecologicalistic.md/

Already published in this series:
1. Introduction 1: The EU supports Moldova also in the field of trade.
2. Introduction 2: Duty-free export of fresh produce to the EU will be an incentive for Moldovan exporters
3. Terra Vitis: an attempt to find the best seedless grapes for our climate.
4. PDG Fruct: We want to become the logistics hub for stone fruits in the region.
5. Velfruct: We export apples and plums to ten EU countries, and are planning three more.
6. Staragro: Antony Blinken enjoyed Moldovan cherries
7. Dor Fruit: In November you get good prices for quality plums.
8. Moreller: In addition to Spain, Germany and Belgium, we hope to soon supply cherries to Scandinavian retailers.
9. Fruct Grup: Agritourism can perfectly complement our plant growing activities.
10. Ionex Trans: With a flow packaging line for grapes and stone fruits, we are well positioned to supply retailers.