Khachik Aharonyan, 42, is the owner of "Zeytun Sweet", one of the largest bakeries in Armenia. He has dedicated his life to the company, starting immediately after completing his studies and military service. Khachik is married to Gayane and together they have three children. And now, he also has a rose greenhouse.
Nighttime temperatures
"We began growing roses a year ago with 2.7 hectares of state-of-the-art Richel greenhouses in the Yeghvard district, about 15 kilometers north of Yerevan, situated on the 40th parallel", Khachik tells. It's an interesting location: the greenhouses are at 1,400 meters above sea level, where they enjoy over 300 sunny days per year. "Nighttime temperatures never exceed 20°C, allowing us to grow top-quality flowers year-round without the need for additional lighting."
However, reaching optimal temperatures during the summer can be tricky. "We've faced some very hot days, with temperatures exceeding 37°C and high radiation levels. However, thanks to our high-tech greenhouse, which stands 10 meters tall at the ridge and has double-side ventilation, we've been able to maintain a good climate. We use shading, high-pressure misting, and painting to help, and the temperature inside never goes above 29°C."
Some of the varieties they produce include Jumilia, Red Naomi, and various premium spray roses. "Currently, we're producing between 12,000 to 25,000 roses per day with the help of 42 permanent employees", Khachik says.
From a bakery to a agro comples
But how did Khachik expand Zeytun Sweet from a bakery to a modern, large, agro food complex – and especially, why did he decide to grow roses? Within his pastry business, Khachik has always focused on energy efficient technologies and optimizing the supply chain. "When we began buying refrigerated trucks to expand our logistics operations, we noticed an increasing demand for flower transport outside of Armenia. That's when I met the Richel team in Armenia as a supplier and Prom Group as a builder", he recalls. "To be honest, I wouldn't have pursued this project without their strong support from the idea to realization of the project."
It took Zeytun Sweet only six months to secure financing and another six months to build the greenhouses. "We faced challenges along the way, but in the end, I'm glad I partnered with Richel Group and Prom Group to develop this new venture."
Global GAP
Although Khachik grows roses, he made sure to apply food industry standards to his horticultural business: the facility was designed to meet Global GAP certification standards. "We ensure that no inputs (such as fertilizers or chemicals) cross paths with the output production to minimize contamination risks and reduce the chances of disease. We've also taken great care to create a comfortable work environment for our employees, with spacious lunch areas and a high-quality sound system that plays their favorite music."
So what's the secret to their success? "My secret? I'm a workaholic," Khachik laughs. "I view my time on this earth as short compared to the span of human history, and I don't want to waste a minute of it. I work hard and choose partners who share the same values."
And, confirming his workaholic-ness, Khackik also shares he's looking to expand. "We're considering a 1.3-hectare expansion in 2025. To be honest, we're very satisfied with our current setup. At the same time we are analyzing the last year experience and will add some minor changes to be just perfect."
For more information:
Richel Group
Quartier de la gare
13810 Eygalieres, France
Tel.: +33 (0) 4 90 95 14 68
Email: [email protected]
www.richel-group.com