The company expects a lot of interest in the prosciutto which, as it stated, will be far different from the one made from imported meat, Pobjeda daily carried.
Niksen’s owner Dragan Cavor says that two months ago he took out €1m loan from the Investment and Development Fund (IRF) and invested in reconstruction of the pig farms in Spuz. The repayment period is ten years long, including two year grace period. The interest rate is more favourable than in commercial banks.
“We have taken out the loan in order to wrap up production of Njegusi prosciutto through purchase of the farm in Spuz. We will organise growing and fattening pigs in order to have all meet needed for making Njegusi prosciutto and not to import any. In this way, we will offer a branded product to the market, which would be made from domestic meat in the traditional way in the village of Njegusi, the prosciutto originated from,” Cavor explained, adding that the loan was spent for the purchase and renovation of the farm.
Renovation has been ongoing because the farm did not operate the last three or four years.
“We plan to finish the reconstruction by the spring. Then, we will purchase pigs for fattening and sows for pig production. We plan to grow 800-1000 sows. The entire capacity of fattening pigs will be used, which means 5,000-6,000 fattening pigs in one round. We can have from two to two and a half rounds annually. The farrowing pen has a larger capacity, which means that we will have a surplus of piglets”, Cavor said, adding that production may be increased.
He said that they planned to employ up to 14 workers from the local area.
“We will offer jobs to young people who worked on the farm. Currently, we have hired four workers, and the rest will be engaged on the spring,” Cavor said.
He pointed out that IRF was a serious institution.
“The projects we submit in order to take out IRF loans must be much better than those offered to commercial banks because it is not just about lending money. They have sharp criteria for approving loans, spending money and progress of the company. They requirie more document than banks, but it is realistic,” Cavor said.
