Finding Distribution Success in Romania’s Reemerging Agrochemical Industry

"Naturevo prefers to demonstrate its products first hand as Romania’s growth has created an influx  of suppliers, many of which are  unprofessional in their approach." John Enoiu, Naturevo integrated sales manager.

Part of the Black Sea region’s rapidly reemerging agriculture industry, Romania is gaining ground after years of financial insecurities. USDA FAS reports that despite the industry’s slow privatization, difficulty accessing credit and infrastructure insufficiencies, agriculture remains a hearty constant for the nation, representing nearly half of all employment and 12% of the nation’s $190 billion GDP. 

Advertisement

This market-wide attitude of resilience is echoed throughout the supply chain, and agrochemical distributor Naturevo is living the dream of a rejuvenated Romanian agriculture industry.

John Enoiu, the company’s integrated sales manager, tells Farm Chemicals International that when he started the company in 1999, he was told he had no chance of success. Now, however, the business is thriving with 60 employees serving the nation’s array of crops include maize, wheat, rye, barley, vegetables, sunflower and potatoes according to FAO.

Enoiu says Naturevo has found success by providing its customers with the highest level of service possible. As the only company in the nation with a sales team completely comprised of agronomists, he emphasizes the importance of growing customers’ farms by providing expert advice and customized solutions. To do this, Naturevo specializes in creating tailored Integrated Pest Management programs for specific crops and local conditions.

Top Articles
ADAMA Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

While USDA FAS reports that the majority of Romanian operations are small, single-family farms, Enoiu says that in his experience, companies are growing not only in size but in technological advancement. In order to serve the complex needs of these evolving operations, Naturevo provides a varied portfolio complete with crop protection products from multinationals like Bayer, BASF, Dow and Makhteshim Agan; fertilizers and specialty products from Compo, Roullier, Ag Chem and Altinco; and seeds from Dow, Pioneer, Monsanto and more. Furthermore, Enoiu says Naturevo is the only authorized distributor of organic products in the Romanian market.

Although Naturevo has all the tools necessary to serve the needs of the agriculture industry, Enoiu says that the turbulent economic environment mandated that companies be more active when reaching out to the potential customer base. “Although the Internet and specialized magazines are used more and more, Romanian customers still prefer to be approached at the farm gate,” Enoiu says. To get in front of potential consumers, Naturevo hosts regional meetings and invites local farmers to attend.

Enoiu says Naturevo prefers to demonstrate its products first hand as Romania’s ag growth has created an influx of suppliers, many of which he says are unprofessional in their approaches. Showing the quality of the products Naturevo distributes is important to the company’s bottom line due to stiff price competition. Low quality and fake goods have spoiled local customers’ expectations of cost, he explains.

As far as plans for the future, Naturevo intends to continue its growth trajectory by serving Romanian customers at the highest possible level.

Naturevo’s motto underscores the importance of resilience, and also serves as inspiration for their company name: “Evocation, Evolution and Revolution in Nature.”

Fittingly, Enoiu says company plans to stick to its vision, which includes showing respect for the environment and care for everything that is life.

Hide picture