Protecting "red gold" of Vojvodina - Aleva started procedure of protection of geographic origin of paprika

In order to preserve the brand of Aleva paprika, Novi Knezevac-based Aleva has entered the procedure of protection of the geographic origin of paprika in association with the Science Institute of Novi Sad.

Aleva has started purchasing and processing paprika and it expects to purchase over 5,000 tons of the agreed raw materials this year and provide the planned quantity for processing.

- Vojvodina's potentials are quite big when it comes to the production and processing of the spice paprika, especially if we have in mind that that paprika is not produced, or its production is insignificant, in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Scandinavia, and Poland - said Aleva CEO Mile Klepic in the talk with Bojan Pajtic, the Chairman of the Executive Council of Vojvodina, who visited the company yesterday.

Klepic points out that the fact is being neglected that "red gold" is grown in the fields of northern Banat and northern Backa, that is, the best industrial paprika in Europe, thanks to the favorable weather, because the number of sunny days is the biggest and the number of rainy days is smallest on this territory in comparison with the rest of Europe.

- Due to the favorable weather, our Aleva paprika is of exceptional quality and has a good aroma, which is the reason why the world companies strictly keep the secret that they use the paprika from Vojvodina to improve the color and aroma of their spices - said Klepic.

Aleva CEO emphasizes that the paprika production in Serbia, as well as the production of other vegetables, is very expensive because the state, unlike the majority of other European countries, does not subsidize that type of production.

- Therefore, Aleva as the manufacturer of the final product of ground spice paprika struggles in the European market to be as competitive as possible - said Klepic and added that the paprika manufacturers from all around the world offered their products at significantly lower prices thanks to the subventions received from the state, although the quality of their products is much lower than the quality of our Aleva paprika.

In order to preserve the production of "red gold", Aleva takes care of the cooperation with the vegetable manufacturers and provides them with the quality seeds of red spice paprika, expert assistance in order to ensure a quality crop and picking. About 500 families from Novi Knezevac and the surroundings are cooperating with Aleva and make significant incomes from the purchase of paprika, onion and parsnip.