“Nizhinsky Cannery” is a brand with a 100-year history
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The plan was implemented, the restoration of the raw material base, new products and export growth – what was the past year like for “Nizhinsky Cannery” and what are the plans for the coming 2024? The director comments with produced by Oleksandr Horbenko.
This year “Nizhyn Cannery”, which produces more than 100 products under the TM “Nizhyn” and “Greenville”, turned 96 years old. Although in fact, its history begins much earlier – with the traditions of pickling the legendary Nizhyn cucumbers, which were formed long before 1927, when production units worked on the production of such products, and later, cooperatives.
The weight of traditions, emphasis on quality and constant expansion of the assortment are the key to sustainable business development in peacetime. However, the war dictates extremely difficult challenges, the search for ways to overcome them is the key to the stability of both the enterprise, in particular, and the country, as a whole.
Challenges of 2023
The company notes that Russian aggression began for them long before February 2022. Back in 2013-2014, when Russia banned the export of food products from Ukraine, “Nizhinsky Cannery” quickly stopped any ties with this market, and began to form new zones of stability.
Of course, the great war was an extremely difficult test for business. In the first days after the full-scale invasion, the city of Nizhin was surrounded almost immediately, but even under such conditions, the factory tried to work and supply products to cities suffering from a lack of products.
After the de-occupation in April 2022, the enterprise started operating at almost full capacity.
However, many challenges remained to be overcome. In particular, in 2023, the company had to find new suppliers of vegetables, which usually came from the Kakhovsky district of the Kherson region. Unfortunately, this territory is still under occupation.
“We made maximum efforts to expand the raw material zone and were able to arrange the supply of vegetables, which we previously purchased in Kherson Oblast, from other regions, – says Oleksandr Horbenko, production director of “Nizhinsky Cannery”.
– This year tomatoes, peppers, onions and eggplants supplied from Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Vinnytsia regions. In addition, we have another raw material base not far from Nizhyn, from where we traditionally receive zucchini, cucumbers, as well as fresh dill, parsley, greens.”
Therefore, production was provided with raw materials in full.
Another challenge this year was the blocking of borders with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. This worsened logistics and made it difficult export of goods.
“Unfortunately, some of our distributors did not receive the assortment they needed on the eve of the Christmas holidays, and some countries froze the supply for the period until the logistical issues are settled,” – noted Oleksandr Horbenko. – We hope that this crisis will be quickly overcome.”
Achievements of the passing year
Despite all the challenges, the export of TM “Nizhyn” increased by 17% compared to 2022 and reached the figures of 2021. It was also expanded the list of countries to which products are delivered..
“We started working with the Netherlands and Ireland, expanded the assortment on the markets of the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Canada, – Oleksandr says. – Interest in Ukrainian products has increased significantly in the worldpeople, and we are working to increase the assortment and export as many Ukrainian goods as possible and make our country stronger.
But the main prerequisite for success on this path – the victory of Ukraine, for which we are all waiting!”.
The sales plan for the current year was fulfilled by 100% and almost corresponds to the indicators of the pre-war year 2021. This is a very good result in the current conditions, according to the production director.
At the same time, the amount of taxes paid for 9 months of 2023 is almost doubled exceeds indicators of 2021.
As for changes in the structure of demand, this year there was no rapid increase in the level of sales of TM “Nizhyn” preserves. For some reason, in the summer, many Ukrainians made such preparations on their own, in order to have their own long-term storage products in stock.
Regarding sales products of TM “Greenville”, then they increased compared to 2022 and reached the pre-war indicators of 2021.
The year 2023 was full of good events at the international level.
“Nizhinsky Canning Plant” took part in international exhibitions: in April – WorldFoodPoland in Poland, in September – Riga Food (Latvia), in October – Anuga (Germany), one of the world’s largest international exhibitions of food products.
“At the international tasting competition within the framework of the World Food Poland exhibition, we received 2 awards among 130 products from different countries of the world entered for the competition,” said Oleksandr Horbenko.
– In the Food&Drinks category, independent experts awarded a gold medal Lecho TM “Nizhyn” for quality and taste properties, and “Pickled cucumbers” of the same trademark received the Special Prize award.
We are immensely proud, because our products competed at the international level. It is also very nice that the president of Latvia tasted our products at the Riga Food international exhibition and he liked it.”
The plant’s products were also presented at the WorldFoodUkraine 2023 exhibition held in Kyiv.
In the plans for the coming year – participation in the SIAL international exhibition in Paris – one of the most influential international food exhibitions in the world.
“But one of the most important achievements of this year, – emphasizes Oleksandr Horobenko, – there is preservation of the team in almost full composition. Fortunately, there were no layoffs.
This is very gratifying, as people are our greatest value. I am truly grateful to every member of our great team for their enthusiasm, perseverance and dedicated work.”
The company consistently supports those of its employees who were mobilized to the ranks of the Armed Forces, and provides them with everything they need – from clothes to military ammunition, participates in the collection of cars and other valuables.
Novelties of 2023 from TM “Nizhyn” and TM “Greenville”
The company releases new types of products every year. There are usually few innovations, as each recipe is meticulously studied, and the product goes through a long process of testing and improvement.
The first small batches are evaluated in production, in particular, by a tasting committee, then, as a rule, they are sent to regular customers, and only when the new product is to the taste of a large number of people, it goes into the production process. In general, each novelty is worked on for more than one year.
“In 2023, we released such products as “Borscht in Ukrainian” and “Pickling“. These products are very easy to use: you just need to transfer the contents of the jar with the first dish into a saucepan, add 500 milliliters of water or broth, bring to a boil and that’s it – a delicious dish is ready.
Natural ingredients, traditional taste and an hour of free time!” – Mr. Horbenko shares his joy.
Actually, we can currently talk about the presence of a “men’s segment” of products in the assortment of “Nizhinsky Cannery”, the company agrees. Since first dishes in jars and peeled vegetables (whole or chopped, raw or cooked) in convenient packages greatly simplify the preparation of dishes.
For many men who sent their wives and children abroad, saving them from the war, such proposals are very relevant. And not only for them. Convenience and saving time – the trend of the century.
TM “Greenville” presented this year another product “Peasant-style potatoes”, the sales of which have a constant trend of growth, which is natural.
Guaranteed quality and ancient traditions
In production, everything, starting with raw materials and ending with the final product, undergoes laboratory testing in its own accredited laboratory. And the recipes are traditional, and therefore time-tested.
“The main key to the company’s sustainability is quality and taste, traditions and love for one’s work,” emphasizes Oleksandr. “Preservation and pickling is, first of all, proper preparation and processing of products.
It is important that all the dishes we deliver to the table of Ukrainians and our foreign connoisseurs are not only tasty, but also safe. Therefore, the selection of the best vegetables for preserves and pickles is the main condition for a tasty product.
We use only Ukrainian vegetables, grown in season, and strictly adhere to protocols for raw materials. And this guarantees that there will be no harmful substances in each product. Next is the inspection of each batch of manufactured products. We control every stage of making preserves and pickles one hundred percent.
Therefore, we can say with confidence that only high-quality and safe products reach the consumer. I can confidently say that preservation of TM “Nizhyn” and pickling TM “Greenville” combine the best of the past and the future, the original taste and safety of production.”
It is worth noting that the company monitors that the correct storage conditions are ensured both at the stage of product transportation and directly in stores. Therefore, it is represented in large food chains that can guarantee these conditions.
Plans for 2024
In the conditions of a great war, the company is quite cautious in its plans.
“We hope that the next months and the year in general will be better. Like all citizens of Ukraine, we really hope for a complete victory on our terms. In the coming year, we at least plan that we will be able to grow and processand all raw materials – emphasized Mr. Horbenko.
– Planned withgrowth for the next year – 10-20%, but if trends change, plans will change as well. Perhaps in the direction of increase.”
Also, in the next year, the plant plans to launch a 300 ml jar for the preservation of TM “Nizhyn”. The smaller container format is dictated by the requirements of the time, in particular, the desire of Ukrainians to save.
As for new products, there are currently no specific products. What exactly will end up on the shelves of Ukrainians, and later, for export, will become known a little later. But development and tasting are ongoing, so we are waiting.
Ukrainians’ favorite products for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
During the winter holidays, our compatriots, as Oleksandr Horbenko told us, most often buy pickles and fermented products (cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage), as well as salads from TM “Greenville”. Fortunately, the range is large, so there is plenty to choose from.
Ukrainians also often buy pickled cucumbers and tomatoes from TM “Nizhyn”.
Such a choice is also a tradition. In particular, pickled and fermented foods have been on the tables of Ukrainians since time immemorial, and the “Nizhinsky Cannery” supports precisely traditional approaches in the preparation of these dishes, which is why they taste as if they were made by their own grandmother.
Finally, Mr. Oleksandr Horbenko conveyed his greetings to all Ukrainians: “I want to congratulate everyone on the upcoming holidays and wish us all victory, family comfort and well-being. And I especially want to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the fact that we have the opportunity to work.”
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