Grigore and Galina Cojocaru
The total cost of the investment project is 180 million lei, of which the state support is 50%, or 90 million lei. Of this amount, 25% (22.5 million lei) will be allocated in the form of a grant and 75% (67.5 million lei) will be tax benefits through exemption from 50% income tax.
The funds are intended for the construction of a modern feed mill equipped with an advanced technology of sterilization of fodder, which ensures the quality and safety of fodder for animals and reduces the risk of disease contamination. The planned processing capacity is up to 20 tons/hour. At least 30 jobs will be created at the new production facility. The produced fodder will be used in its own technological chain, as well as supplied to the domestic market and abroad. Construction will begin in April 2025 and should be completed in August 2026.
The document was signed by Minister of Economy Doina Nistor and member of the family business, CEO Dumitrita Cojocaru.
“Through the state aid mechanism, we are supporting large, transformative investments that will modernize the industry, bring clean technology and help create a highly productive economy here at home. The new plant will not only cover Axedum’s needs, but will also be a resource for the entire livestock sector,” said Doina Nistor.
“This project is very important for the Axedum family,” said Dumitritsa Cojocaru. – The feed mill is an important link in our production chain, allowing us to provide healthy food for healthy animals. This project will help us to increase our meat and egg export opportunities, as well as offer a new product – pelleted feed and add value to local grain. We are grateful for the support and are confident it will stimulate the local economy.”
What is the business?
It was founded by the Cojocaru couple in 1997, when the Moldovan market had only imported frozen chicken meat of dubious quality and origin, and its shelf life was unknown. Grigore and Galina (he is a zootechnician by profession, she is a veterinarian) decided to supply their family and the country with natural chicken meat. They started on their own farm.
In 2006, the Cojocaru couple bought a cow farm and turned it into a poultry farm. This is how Axedum Farm was founded. The following year they rented 700 hectares of arable land to grow fodder. In 2010, Ecobioprod came into being, raising chickens. In 2012, a feed production facility was opened. Then 300 hectares of land were purchased and 500 hectares of selkozudozgoddy were leased.
In 2016, the most modern poultry farm in the country was built, based on HACCP and ISO 22000 principles. It has been evaluated by several European experts for its compliance with the requirements for export to the European Union.
In 2020, the Puiu AXD subsidiary was established and egg incubation activities for the subsequent rearing of chickens were started. And in 2021, a fourth company, Furaj AXD, was established to supply feed. The Axedum group currently employs 208 people. Cojocaru’s two daughters are also involved in the management of the business.
The business is run on the principles of sustainability, and organic fertilizers of its own production are used in farming. Axedum was the first company in Moldova to obtain the right to export poultry meat to the EU. It has its own logistics fleet of 40 trucks with refrigeration equipment. Five company stores have been opened, selling a wide range of its own products – fresh chilled and marinated meat, canned and ready-to-eat products. The products are also supplied to supermarket chains and restaurants.
The project of state support for investments is intended for enterprises of the processing industry in Moldova. Its budget is 2 billion lei.
