Located in Blijnii Hutor village 77 km away from Chisinau, Ludmila Bodrug’s company produces naturally smoked meat and sausages according to the traditional recipes inherited from her grandparents.
The mini-factory, where various recipes of smoked meat and homemade sausages are produced works under the Miasnoy Khutorok, or the Meat Farm, brand.
„Our business is a legacy of my parents,” says Ludmila. „My mother told me that my grandparents also smoked meat. I borrowed some recipes from them, and the others I took from my mother.”
Ludmila's family boasts over 20 years of experience in producing smoked meat. Over the years, these products have stood out for their quality, natural composition and rich taste, as unique marinade recipes and smoked meat technology have been improved over the years. To obtain irresistible taste, the smoking is done using wood from fruit trees.
„We pay attention to details and guarantee our customers a 100% natural product, without additives and preservatives,” confesses Ludmila. “We get raw materials only from local producers.”
Today, the assortment of „Meat Farm” includes more than 15 types of smoked meat, such as: chicken wings, ham, pastrami, sausages, pork ribs, chicken rolls, blood sausages. The local delicacies are available to customers at affordable prices.
„We prepare sausages, baked sausages, smoked sausages, baked pork, ham, chicken rolls. We have a very rich assortment,” emphasizes the woman.
In 2021, the entrepreneur applied for the grant competition „Mentoring in business – 3. Start for Youth” under the EU4Business „Confidence-Building Measures” programme, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program in Moldova. Thus, she obtained funding for modernizing the production workshop and purchasing new equipment.
Thanks to the „Confidence-Building Measures” programme support, the production volume increased more than twofold and 3 new jobs were created. A line of products aimed at children, such as boiled or baked sausages, was also created and put into production.
„Thanks to the grant, we purchased high-quality refrigeration equipment, in which we store ready-made products,” says the entrepreneur. “Consequently, we can produce in advance, which is very convenient. We bought a meat grinder, an injector that marinates meat and a slicer. We also purchased a machine that brings the minced meat to the required consistency, from which we can make safalades and sausages.”
In 2022, in addition to creating a varied assortment of meat products, Ludmila Bodrug managed to open two other points of sale of the „Meat Farm” brand. Now the products can be found not only in Tiraspol but also in the cities of Tighina and Dnestrovsc.
The woman plans to expand the range of products using the newest and most efficient equipment as well as enter new markets.
„Develop yourself. Make efforts. Fear nothing. Step out of your comfort zone and you will succeed!” Ludmila encourages other entrepreneurs.
About the project
The „Mentoring in Business – 3. Start for Youth” grant competition, launched in June 2020, is designed for young entrepreneurs aged from 18 to 35. Thanks to the grants offered by the EU’s „Confidence Building Measures” programme, in this competition, so far 57 new enterprises have been created and more than 300 jobs have been generated on the left bank of the Nistru river and in the security zone in Moldova.
Within the project, 26 young entrepreneurs benefited from grants totaling EUR 10,000, as well as counselling to expand their entrepreneurial activity.
The „Confidence-Building Measures” programme, supported by the European Union under its EU4Business Initiative and implemented by UNDP, contributes to building trust between residents on both banks of the Nistru river by involving them in joint development projects.
