Product Offerings
Products:
Milk: Cow Milk, Sheep Milk, Goat Milk, Buffalo Milk
Cheese: Brine Matured Cheese, Fresh Cheese, Brânză de Țaga (Năsal), Bobâlna, Moeciu, Montana
Yoghurt: Various Yoghurt Products
Sour Cream: Traditional Sour Cream
Lactate Someșene SRL, operating under the Țarina brand, is a Romanian dairy producer headquartered in Dej, Cluj County. Known for its commitment to traditional recipes and natural ingredients, the company plays a vital role in preserving Romania’s dairy heritage while serving modern consumer needs with safe, quality-controlled production.
Core Business
Lactate Someșene specializes in the production of fresh and matured dairy products, combining artisanal methods with certified food safety practices. The company is committed to promoting local milk producers, sourcing raw materials directly from small farms across Transylvania, thereby ensuring freshness, traceability, and support for rural development.
Product and Service Offerings
Lactate Someșene’s product range includes:
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Milk:
- Cow Milk
- Sheep Milk
- Goat Milk
- Buffalo Milk
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Cheese:
- Brânză de Țaga (also known as Năsal) – A mold-ripened specialty cheese aged in unique cave conditions
- Brine-Matured Cheese (Telemea)
- Fresh Cheese
- Bobâlna – a soft, fresh cheese typical of the region
- Moeciu and Montana – regional matured cheese varieties
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Yoghurt:
- Natural and flavored variants
- Low-fat and whole milk options
-
Sour Cream:
- Traditional Romanian sour cream made from natural fermentation processes
The company's branding emphasizes traditional values, artisanal quality, and local identity, aligning with both Romanian heritage and broader Eastern European culinary traditions.
Specialisation and Core USP
Lactate Someșene stands out for its dedication to authentic Romanian dairy craftsmanship, particularly the production of Brânză de Țaga (Năsal)—a cheese aged in natural caves, known for its distinct aroma and cultural significance. The caves provide naturally regulated temperature and humidity conditions ideal for mold-ripening, making this product one of Romania’s most celebrated cheeses.
Additional USPs include:
- Direct milk collection from local farms
- No additives or preservatives in core product lines
- Small-batch, high-quality processing model
Financial Strength
Although Lactate Someșene operates as a privately held SME with limited publicly available financial records, the company benefits from:
- Strong domestic market presence, particularly in Transylvania and urban specialty food markets
- Growing demand for traditional and natural dairy products
- Strategic partnerships with regional retailers and farmers' markets
Industry insights indicate consistent year-over-year growth within Romania’s premium dairy segment.
Shipment and Export Data
While export data remains limited, Lactate Someșene has begun expanding to:
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Ethnic Romanian markets in Western Europe
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Specialty food distributors in Hungary, Germany, and Italy
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Key Exported Product: Brânză de Țaga / Năsal
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Export Share (estimated): Under 10% of total production, but growing annually
This positions the brand as an emerging international representative of Romanian terroir cheese.
Target Market
The company targets a diverse customer base, including:
- Traditional dairy consumers in Romania
- Health-conscious and natural product shoppers
- Ethnic retailers across the EU
- Gourmet and specialty food outlets
Its emphasis on authenticity and clean labels appeals strongly to premium retail segments.
Capabilities
Lactate Someșene’s facility in Dej includes:
- Milk reception and pasteurization units
- Cheese-making vats and brining pools
- Traditional cave aging facilities for Năsal cheese
- Yogurt fermentation and filling lines
- Cold storage for matured products
The plant is equipped for both artisanal batch production and scalable commercial orders, ensuring flexibility in meeting market demands.
Certifications and Compliance
The company ensures product safety and regulatory adherence through:
- HACCP Certification
- National Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) compliance
- EU traceability and hygiene protocols
- Organic Certification for select farm-sourced milk (in progress)
These practices reinforce trust among retailers and consumers.
Customer Testimonials
“Țarina cheeses are a staple at our specialty store. The Brânză de Țaga always sparks interest with its unique story and bold flavor.”
— Specialty Food Retailer, Bucharest
“Their sour cream and yogurts offer a genuine homemade taste that our customers love. Truly traditional!”
— Local Distributor, Cluj County
Major Achievements
- Custodian of the Brânză de Țaga (Năsal) cave-aging tradition, preserving a centuries-old Romanian cheese-making method
- Expanded production to include goat and buffalo milk, responding to growing consumer interest in nutritional diversity
- Established strong regional brand recognition under the Țarina label
- Part of regional sustainable agriculture programs, working directly with over 200 small-scale milk producers
Lactate Someșene continues to serve as a beacon of tradition, quality, and regional pride in Romania’s evolving dairy industry.