Janic Dairy Products from Zica near Kraljevo in Demand Across Serbia - Waiting List for Kajmak

Ljupka Janic from Zica near Kraljevo started processing milk with her husband ten years ago. Today, their family dairy processes around 700 liters a day, they sell everything they produce, and there are even waiting lists for their kajmak.

Ljupka gave birth to three children, completed the Faculty of Economics in three years and then launched the production of cheese and kajmak.

Together with her husband, she runs a successful dairy, demonstrating that persistence, knowledge and hard work can overcome even major business challenges.

Business Challenges and Successes

The Janic family has always been involved in milk production and sales. The uncertainty of production, caused by the difficult-to-predict purchase price of milk, prompted them to complete the production cycle ten years ago and begin processing the milk themselves.

– In 2016, the purchase price of milk was 24 dinars, which could not cover production costs. That is why we decided to start processing it. Initially, we processed 100 liters of milk a day, then 200, and today we have reached 700 liters. My husband is responsible for delivering the milk and dairy products, while I work in production, although the children also help as much as they can – Ljupka says.

Following traditional recipes, just as local homemakers once did, Ljupka and three other employees at the "Janic" dairy produce young and aged cheese, both sliced and crumbled, as well as young and aged kajmak.

– The milk is first boiled and then poured into the kajmak chamber, where it is left overnight. In the morning, we skim off the kajmak and salt it, while the remaining milk is used to make cheese. The milk is reheated for pasteurization, after which rennet is added for cheesemaking – she explains.

They have no problems selling their products because, as Ljupka says, customers recognize their quality, and cheese and kajmak from their dairy can be found throughout Serbia.

– It really was not easy at first, but once the first customers arrived, everything somehow took off. When people are satisfied with a product, they recommend it to their neighbors and friends. Now we sell everything we produce, and we even have waiting lists for kajmak. Almost everything is ordered in advance – Ljupka says.

Although the family owns 12 cows, their own milk production is insufficient for the current scale of processing, so they also purchase milk from local suppliers. This is also important for local producers, as it provides them with a regular and reliable buyer.

– Around 250 liters of milk a day comes from our own production, and we work with three other suppliers. It is important to us that both our own milk and the milk we purchase are of high quality, with good milk fat content, because only then can we be sure that we will obtain a good product. The milk is always tested, and we also have a trial period with every new supplier – she says.

Ljupka is proud that Kraljevo kajmak is widely renowned, and she and her husband are pleased with the decision they made exactly a decade ago. There is a lot of work, she says, but they enjoy doing it, and they are also planning to expand production.

MALA MLEKARA JANIĆ

Janic Small Dairy Zica Kraljevo

Ljupka Janic

milk

milk processing