Nikolai Susan
Lack of safety and quality certificates, small production volumes, and limited access to exporters’ advice discourages some farmers, but encourages others to look for opportunities.
The history of the peasant farm “Nikolai Stefan” began in 2000 with the distribution of agricultural land under the privatization program. The first attempts of the newly-appointed farmer to establish production were marred by drought, losses and a serious industrial accident that left Nikolai Susan unable to work in the field for almost two years.
Then he was forced to go to France for work. After returning home, Nikolai Susan invested the money he earned abroad in his small agribusiness.
A conscious choice
The farmer planted the first hectare of table grapes in 2006. Subsequently, the area of the vineyard was gradually expanded year after year, solely at the expense of the owner’s resources. Today, the farmer owns six hectares of table grapes of the “Moldova” variety, as well as a cold storage facility.
“It is not by chance that we chose grapes of the “Moldova” variety,” says Nikolai Susan. – This variety is adapted to the local soil and climatic conditions, is stable and relatively unpretentious, and has a reputation – both on the regional and European markets. Of course, if grown to the right standards. I know that you can grow good grapes, but without storage, irrigation and agro-technological discipline you won’t have a place on the EU market. That is why we managed to form a group of producers and, under the guidance of experienced experts, to obtain the GLOBALG.A.P. certificate. It is often called the “entrance ticket” to the European supermarket chain”.
It is easier to solve problems together
During 2025, Nicolae Susan, as part of a group of winegrowers, worked on the implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. requirements within a new model of cooperation organized by the Moldova Fruct Association and Mialex Nord.
This model allowed producers to unify technologies, hygiene practices and reporting – elements that cannot be effectively controlled individually when it comes to entering the EU market.
“Product safety and quality management is a complex field, even a special profession,” says Nicolae Susan. – GLOBALG.A.P. certification changed our approach to work. And as a result, it allowed us to export grapes directly to Germany and Poland”.
In 2025, Nicolae Susan was among nine small and medium-sized producers who received GLOBALG.A.P. certification as part of a comprehensive training, mentoring and technical training program implemented by the Moldova Fruct Moldova Association with the support of the Swiss Government and the Helvetas Moldova Foundation within the OPTIM project.
