Young Moldovan entrepreneur produces teas, supplements, and cosmetic products from medicinal herbs
Cristian Melnic, a 25-year-old with a degree in food technology, cultivates medicinal plants on the hills of Dobrogea, located in the Chisinau municipality and Climăuții de Jos, Soldănești district. He creates teas, encapsulated dietary supplements, and even cosmetic serums using these plants.
In 2021, Cristian Melnic applied to the "Start for Youth" program, which is implemented by the Organization for the Development of the Small and Medium Enterprises Sector (ODIMM), and received a grant of 180,000 lei. He invested this funding in technological equipment, allowing his enterprise to produce an assortment of 20 natural remedies made from medicinal plants.
The idea for Cristian's medicinal plant business emerged in 2016, with support from his father, a doctor of biological sciences. His father helped by providing innovative technologies for cultivating and selecting medicinal plants.
Cristian cultivates various herbs, including lemon balm, mint, chamomile, edible rose petals, yarrow, Italian thyme, and lavender.
"It's a family business, but as a young man, I believe in not working for others and pursuing something I love," Cristian shared during an interview on the "Zi de Zi" show on Radio Moldova. "I package individual plants and create seasonal herbal mixes, such as cough tea and immune boosters."
Currently, Cristian sells his products through social media and at local fairs, but he hopes to distribute them in pharmacies and eventually export them to the European market.
He also spoke about some challenges he faces in his business: "I need to address irrigation issues, find adequate production space that is financially feasible, and improve transportation logistics. I've received two grants from the European Union and am actively seeking solutions. From a technological standpoint, plant processing is crucial for transitioning from a small producer to a medium-sized enterprise. I want the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to recognize our local products, after which we can promote them in other countries."
At present, the Melnic family cultivates about 60 species of medicinal plants using organic farming methods, without herbicides and relying only on natural fertilizers. The plants are grown manually, without the use of agricultural equipment.
Author: Veronica Scorpan
