Hand crafted souvenirs and a love of fragrances made from essential oils has gone from a passion to a job, and the plan is to not only continue, but to expand.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on thw 23rd of January, 2018, OPG Zlatko Čanđar is situated on the pictuesque the slopes of Moslavina in the village of Šumećani, ecologically cultivating budrovka lavender. In a small, family run business alongside her father, a special interest has also been demonstrated by the daughter who has decided to attend aromatherapy school.
Back in 2010, the family began planting lavender on a surface that was suitable for its growth, not too far from their family home. 2000 seedlings were planted back then and the first yield of essential oil and hydrolates was achieved just a couple of years later.
For now, OPG Zlatko Čanđar is growing the popular plant under the ecological production of 0.3 hectares, and working specifically with budrovka lavender, which is the most common type found in Croatia. The lavender itself is hardy and resistant and suitable for growing in continental areas as it's able to withstand temperatures up to -20 degrees Celsius, as was explained by Zlatko Čanđar, the owner of the OPG.
Čanđar states that their greatest success is that customers recognise the quality and price acceptable to their conditions.
He notes that the acidity of the soil should be around 6.5 Ph, and since lavender doesn't withstand moisture very well, it's best to plant it on a hill facing the sun and turned towards the south, and in their field in Moslavina of all places, far from the island of Hvar which is famous for its lavender and lavender products, they have exactly those desired conditions.
"The market is responding very well, given the growing public awareness of the quality of ecologically produced products. The producers themselves are stumbling over blocks when it comes to administration because, for example, the eco-mark can be put on dry flower but not on essential oil or hydrolate because the Food Act rejects that,'' stated Čanđar.
The products are not only grown and cultivated, but designed and packed at the OPG. Since it's a small OPG and a small area in general, everything is done manually, and work is done on the individual approach to the buyer. In their all natural assortment they have essential oil, hydrolate and fragrant handmade souvenirs on offer. The OPG works both on packaging and on the making of the label, as well as on the actual design.
"This is first a love and hobby, and only then is it a serious business. Competition in the true sense of the word doesn't exist, given that most of the farms in our area are small farms, and we're helping each other by giving each other advice and sharing our experiences,'' stated Čanđar.
During the tourist season, Čanđar explained that that is when such products are in the most demand.
"We're planning to expand our business to natural cosmetics, and our greatest success is that our customers recognise the quality of the product and the price which is acceptable to our requirements," concluded Čanđar.
