Civitas Foundation Supports Berry Growers Through the Creation and Development of a Cooperative
The Civitas Foundation is assisting berry producers through a project aimed at establishing and developing a cooperative in this sector. The project, aptly named “Establishment and Development of a Cooperative for Berry Producers in the Territory of the Someș Transilvan LAG,” led to the formation of the cooperative now known as “Arome Transilvane“ (“Transylvanian Aromas”). The initiative seeks to better integrate farmers into the agri-food chain, increase the added value of agricultural products, and promote these products on local markets and within short supply chains.The project contributes to improving agricultural efficiency in the area. It supports the goals set out in the Local Development Strategy of Someș Transilvan LAG, by enhancing the competitiveness of agriculture and promoting the organization of the food chain.This initiative laid the foundation for the first agricultural cooperative of berry producers in Cluj County. The association was founded at the initiative of the Civitas Foundation and nine founding members, who grow and process a wide variety of berries such as black and red currants, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, and sea buckthorn. The cooperative’s members come from the villages and communes of Lujerdiu, Sic, Borșa, and Vișea.
What is the cooperative’s goal?
The association aims to provide consumers—mainly in Cluj County—with berries grown locally, which have superior nutritional value compared to imported fruit. The cooperative is structured in a way that allows consumers to know all the essential details about the origin and cultivation of the fruits, thereby raising awareness about the value of produce grown by local small-scale farmers. Another goal of the association is to support small and medium-sized producers and to encourage new farmers to begin their journey in berry farming.
What are the main challenges?
The main challenges faced by the nine founding members include a growing labor shortage and the difficulty of accessing markets. The main reasons are the small quantities produced by individual farmers and the large volume of imported berries. The cooperative aims to address these issues by centralizing the variety of berries grown by its members and by establishing fixed and mobile points of sale, initially in Cluj-Napoca.
What does the cooperative produce?
Berries:
Cultivated blueberries, blackberries, cultivated raspberries, black currants, red currants, gooseberries, goji berries, chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa), sea buckthorn.
Syrups:
Raspberry syrup, elderflower syrup with oranges and lemons, Aronia syrup, cranberry syrup, black currant syrup, strawberry syrup, sour cherry syrup, blueberry syrup.
Jams and Preserves:
Strawberry jam, hot pepper jam, black currant jam, raspberry jam, quince jam, quince jam with walnut kernels, rosehip paste, plum butter, sour cherry jam, blueberry jam.
