Despite Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the resulting challenges to manufacturing activities, Ukrainian pet food business Suziria Group is developing its production capacities through the opening of a new factory in Kalush, in the country’s western part. The business also managed to open three new warehouses this year, according to senior company representatives.
Suziria Group’s first pet food plant is located in Kharkiv, in Ukraine’s eastern part where Russia’s military attacks have been focused. Production activities at the factory were temporarily halted on February 24 as Russian troops invaded, yet later restarted. However, the group decided that, to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing, it would be crucial to open a second plant in western Ukraine where the situation is more stable.
Second pet food plant up and running in four months
Polina Kosharna, co-owner and head of the supervisory board of Suziria Group, said the project to fit the new facility in Kalush with new, modern equipment to produce its own brands, as well as private-label brands of grain feed and treats for rodents and birds, took less than four months.
She also provided background on the company. “Suziria Group is a Ukrainian family business incorporating Suziria Production, Suziria Distribution and the MasterZoo chain of pet shops,” Kosharna explained. “Founded 29 years ago, Suziria Group now operates across the country and abroad, exporting products under its Priroda, ProVET, PET Fashion, Special One, Savory and Essence brands.
“Currently, Suziria Group operates more than 10,000 square meters [107,640 square feet] of production facilities and more than 14,000 square meters of warehouses,” she continued. “The full-scale invasion of Russian troops has affected many business processes, as well as logistics.”
The new factory is to be operated by 45 employees and is expected to create further jobs as Suziria Group increases its output capacities, she said.
Expanding pet food product lines and exports
“Suziria Group’s companies export their products to more than 10 countries across the world, including the U.S., Germany, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Jordan, Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan,” Kosharna said. “The group is actively working on securing further foreign markets for our brands.”
Looking ahead, Kosharna said that, in early 2023, Suziria Group aims to launch a number of new lines of wet cat and dog food products, as well as cat and dog treats under its own brand, Savory. “We will also expand the range of the True Fresh by Carnilove brand,” she added.
