Finest handmade Macedonian
specialties
We create delicious Macedonian dishes for you. All our products are organically produced being healthy, pesticide-free, and without additives. To ensure fairness for everyone involved, we work directly with farmers and processors.
Discover our culinary masterpieces
We have three different food families: spreads made from roasted open field vegetables, delicacies made from hazelnuts, and creations made from almonds.
What we stand for
Four principles guide every jar we fill and every nut we prepare — from the fields to your table.
Organic quality
Certified according to EU Organic standards, with our hazelnuts also Bio Suisse certified. No pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers — just sun, soil, and patient farming.
Unique taste
From picking the vegetables in the field to filling the jars, every step is done by hand because true flavor cannot be rushed. Our hazelnut and almond products are also handled with care to protect their quality, taste, and valuable natural ingredients.
Fairness
We work directly with family farms — with no unnecessary middlemen and no pressure to squeeze margins.
Only natural ingredients
No preservatives, no palm oil, no added sugar. What you taste is what grew in the soil.
Our focus
It all began with the desire for flavorful, pesticide-free Ajvar
During trips to the Balkans, I fell in love with Ajvar. But the thought of pesticides on conventionally peppers gave me, figuratively, a stomachache. The search for organic alternatives came up empty, and the conventional store-bought versions just didn't taste right. So I set out to find the perfect Ajvar.
The Problem of Pesticides
Ajvar is boiled down peppers, if traditional done consisting of 4 times as much vegetables as in the final jar. You can imagine how much pesticides are conserved, especially as in Ajvar producing countries the control for pesticide usage is not strongly controlled and the vegetables are produced over and over again in the same greenhouse.
Flavour improvement
Besides this, the products sold in Switzerland are industrially produced, even if they are labelled “handmade”. That would no issue, but the use of gas for roasting and water for peeling results in a noticeable difference in quality compared to traditional recipes where it is produced over fire and with hands.
Long story short
I set out to search for the “perfect” Ajvar. I visited many farmers and companies that produce them. Luckily, I found Suzana. Her Ajvar, Lutenica, and Malidzano is so tasteful and is like conserving the fresh pepper together with the fire they are roasted on.
Over the last four years, also with the help of other farmers and tasters we could not only improve the taste but also the consistency to finally provide you with the high quality produce we now can provide to you.
Challenges – from field production to you as our client
Weather
From 2023-25 we faced extreme hot temperatures with little rain. Due to the shut down of the commune canal, we faced very dry conditions. The result: Very small peppers, which were very complicated to roast and peel.
Labor
Finding enough workers during peak agricultural season is harder than expected. Younger people leave the countryside either to the capital or to Western Europe. The remaining often have their own agricultural work during the harvesting time.
Production bottlenecks
Having ripe vegetables ready at the right moment, enough workers available immediately after harvest, the correct quantities of jars, labels, and packaging, and nutritional values and certification delivered on time — all in the right order — remains a major challenge. Once the products are made, they still need to reach Switzerland, and with only a few pallets, finding transport companies able to deliver organic food products legally is not always easy. We are constantly learning how to reduce these bottlenecks, but we do not want to pretend that everything is perfect. Some challenges remain, and new issues can still arise that we did not anticipate beforehand.
Organic certification
The only Macedonian organic certifier that allowed exports has stopped operating, as only a handful of farmers produce according to EU organic standards. Luckily, a Serbian certifier has stepped in. Certification is a complicated process and can often overwhelm farmers, not to mention the related costs for small-scale farming — which are the same as for Swiss farmers, but without subsidies. That is why we pay for it.
Quality, sustainability & fairness
Our values sound great — but in practice, real conflicts of goals await.
Quality vs. Sustainability
Flying down every three months because the land route takes four days — not exactly a pioneer in sustainability.
Fair vs. Affordable
Reconciling good pay for farmers who produce by hand with a product that remains affordable.
Open field vs. production security
Heat, drought, hail and pests are challenges which often can hardly be controlled in open field.
Water use vs. drought
Introducing drip irrigation this year helped reduce water consumption. We also installed a water pump to secure access to water during very dry periods. At the same time, we are fully aware of groundwater concerns and try to avoid using it whenever possible.
Thank you to everyone
Sufinas would not be possible without these wonderful people. They often do backbreaking work and produce by hand — with dedication and tradition.
Handcrafting the ajvar, lutenica & malidzano products
For cultivation, cracking, and processing into fine almond products.
Always helpful support and coordination.
Translation and wonderful support
Creation of the labels and the website, and for photographing all the impressions
Wife, in-law parents, and aunt for childcare and support when being on travel
Discover exquisite flavors with us
Stories from the orchards, recipes from the kitchen, and updates from our Macedonian partners.
Let's talk specialties
Questions about a product, availability, or wholesale? Send us a note — we read every message.
Send us a message
Whether you're curious about a product, want to know when the next ajvar batch is ready, or are interested in selling our specialties in your shop — we'd love to hear from you.
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