www.terraoptima.rs
Terra Optima
Company Overview
All geographical factors, climate, location, relief, population makes Sokobanja so rich, but also represent the limitless resources for development of the municipality and the region around it.
About Us Terra Optima was founded in 2013 with the vision of creating a modern fruit plantation. As a family company from the heart of Sumadija, the famous fruit growing area, cultivation of fruit was a logical step. Given the ambition and desire for the highest quality, as well as the untapped potential of a large part of Serbia, Terra Optima has decided to build up a modern plantation for growing apples.
A
pple plantation is located in the region of Sokobanja in Southeastern Serbia. Beautiful nature, small industrial activity and low population density make this environment very clean and healthy. Plantation has excellent geographical and geophysical conditions
and provide opportunities for breeding the best varieties of apples. The fact that the plantation is situated at 400 meters above the sea level distinguishes it from most modern plantations in Serbia. Relying on the technology of apple growing that is used in the most famous region of this activity in the world, South Tyrol, with modern anti-hail protection and irrigation systems, as well as reputable nursery trees, our high expectations are justified. Terra Optima currently owns 58 hectares of agricultural land,
The choice of varieties in the existing 23 hectares, as well as the
carefully selected for the purpose of fruit growing. In 2016, the
location itself provide us the ability to export goods to a large
total area of land planted with apples amounts to 23 hectares.
number of markets. The international motorway facilitates road
The orchard is equipped with a system of anti-hail protection
transport, nearness of the port of Thessaloniki opens up the
on the entire surface. Also, there is a system for drip irrigation
possibility of covering the different markets by sea transportation,
which provides the necessary amount of water to trees in any
while the airport “Konstantin The Great” in Nis provides the
time of the year. Plantation has a developed infrastructure.
option of air transportation. When all these factors are taken into
There are external and internal roads, storage for equipment
account it leads to the conclusion that the Sokobanja is unused
and machinery, office space and a reservoir to store water, and
pearl of Serbian agriculture.
everything is covered by video surveillance.
Varieties Selection of apple varieties is a complex process and requires consideration of several aspects,
4,7ha
5,7ha
2,2ha
Gala Schniga® SchniCo(s)
Fuji KIKU® Fubrax (S)
Granny Smith
Very juicy, sweet and aromatic apple
Specific by exceptionally sweet
Slightly acidic taste, coming
founded in Italy. Coming in mid-
taste and long life storage. We
from Australia. The harvest is in
August.
expect it in the middle of October.
September.
namely: spreading trend of varieties, the current situation and trends or prospects varieties, taking into account primarily the prices and demand on the market. Also. an important factor is the selection of nursery. In order to get the best fruit we
2,5ha
2,9ha
5ha
made cooperation with the nursery “Gruber Genetti” from Italy. All trees are quality Knip 7+
Red Delicious Mema® Mestar 2284(s)
Red Delicious Superchief® Sandidge
Golden Delicious Klon Reinders®
For the first time in Serbia! Elegance
The intense red color draws its
Sweet taste, originating from the
and temperament. Coming in October.
strength. Picked in October.
Netherlands. Harvested in September.
There are over 7,500 varieties of apples around the world. In Serbia, the most common ones are Idared, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Gloster and Jonagold.
Golden Delicious Reinders速
5
Company Development
1
Terra Optima owns 58 hectares of agricultural land covered with 23 hectares of apples. In the spring of 2016, we implemented the Phase 2 of Terra Optima’s development which represented the planting of an additional 10 hectares
Phase 1 Building infrastructure and planting 13 hectares of apple orchards
of apples.
T
aking into account that a large part of the infrastructure, such as power station, internal and external roads, offices and storage facilities have
2
been built in the first phase, the second phase was much more efficient.
I
mplementation of the second phase of the project has affected the company’s position on the market, because it will be able to provide larger
quantities of a wide range of products.
A
Phase 2
fter the second phase there is the possibility for the realization of the phase 3, which represents the investment in high-tech systems for
cooling, cleaning, calibration and packaging apples in order to sell the product as a premium at a higher price.
Planting additional 10 hectares
3
Phase 3
Constant development is a precondition of any success. For us, development is not only expanding the plantations, but expansion of the knowledge base and experience we gather on the way. For this reason, we give great importance to education of employees with the help of our expert associates from Serbia and Europe. That way we want to eliminate a large number of risks that follow this agricultural branch.
The Vision for the Region Apple orchard is located in Sokobanja in South-Eastern Serbia, 30 km from the motorway and 2 hours from Belgrade. Such location provides easy roads, the water and air transport.
B
eautiful nature, weak industrial activity and low population density make this environment very clean and healthy. The hilly
land structure and good soil quality make this region attractive for agricultural production. As a result of low industrial activity the labor force in this region is more available than in other parts of Serbia. The goal of Terra Optima
population about modern fruit
in the upcoming years is to
production. The plan is to form
improve the general awareness
cooperatives to bring together
and attract more domestic
a larger number of the producer
and foreign investors to raise
of apples in the region in
orchards in this part of Serbia.
order to maintain quality and
Great importance is given
offer greater quantities on the
to education of the local
market.
Trade Agreements Export to the EU market without customs duties in accordance with the Stabilisation and Association Process. For several food products (beef, sugar and wine) export quantities are limited with annual quotas. Serbia as a member of CEFTA integrate SEE countries to free trade
Free Trade Agreement with Belarus envisages mutual removal of customs duties between the two countries. A free trade agreement with Turkey and the EFTA members.
in the market of 30 million people. Outside the
Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of
Commonwealth of Independent States Serbia is
Serbia and Kazakhstan.
the only country that has a free trade agreement with Russia.
Geographical position of Serbia The geographical position of Serbia opens the possibility of cooperation with different markets. As a crossroads of Europe and Asia, Serbia can openly look to the markets of Turkey, Central Asia, and the Middle East. On the other side, there is a market of the European Union with 500 million inhabitants. Finally, no less important, and traditionally interesting market of the Russian Federation, with rising demand for Serbian products .
Harvest Timeline
Month Variety Gala Red Delicious Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji
August
September
Oktober
November
There is a production of 240 thousand tons of apples in Serbia. The average yield of apple is around 15 tonnes per hectare. With the introduction
Yield T
he yield depends largely on the quality of planting material. For this reason we have given great importance to the selection of the nursery. The first year
of modern technologies the
is considered to be the second year after planting Knip trees. Yields could never
yield could be four times better.
be predicted exactly, because there are many factors that can not be influenced to. Yet despite this, we are trying to apply all available agro-technical measures to provide unhindered development of trees, resulting in a satisfactory yield.
Red Delicious Superchief速 Sandidge
Variety
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4-10
Gala
20.000
31.000
48.000
60.000
Red Delicious
15.000
25.000
38.000
50.000
Golden Delicious
21.000
30.000
50.000
60.000
Granny Smith
20.000
30.000
48.000
60.000
Fuji
19.000
28.000
43.000
50.000
Sokobanja Sokobanja is located in a valley, in the south-eastern Serbia and administratively belongs to the Zajecar district of the Timok region.
S
okobanja is well known throughout Serbia as an attractive tourist destination. It attracts
tourists who desire to escape from the city and breathe in clean, fresh mountain air and enjoy the six natural thermal springs. In Sokobanja there are traces of settlement since the Neolithic period, and is known as a spa and a time of Romans. Sokobanja has a beautiful nature, it is situated between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains of Ozren and Rtanj. At Ozren there are several hospitals and health resorts, while at the foot of the mountain, there is Moravica river passing through Sokobanja on which coast there are several beaches and caves. In addition to the tourist potential of Sokobanja has a large agricultural potential, because it has large areas of arable land.
Sokobanja is the first ecological municipality in Serbia and has the longest tradition of spa tourism.
Our Experts Modern fruit production requires not only the installation of modern systems, but also the implementation of a new knowledge base. To follow trends of modern production we have established cooperation with experts in the field of plant protection and apple production.
Kurt Werth
Dr Novica Miletić
Specialist in Apple Growing
Specialist in Plant Protection.
area.
University of Belgrade, Faculty
South Tyrol, Italy
of Agriculture.
The Orchard
The Headquarters
18320 Zuckovac
Bulevar Vozda Karadjordja 115
Sokobanja, Srbija
34310 Topola, Srbija Tel: +381 34811602 Tel: +381 62635296 E-mail: info@terraoptima.rs
CONTACT INFORMATIONS