Letofin AS: Total transparency due to cultivation of own crops

October 2, 2018 at 7:59 AM , Der AUDITOR
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Letofin AS was founded in 1994 and is based in Tallinn. The trading firm is GMP+ certified and a member of the GAFTA and Sedex communities.

Since 2016 Letofin has also been operating processing and cleaning facilities in the Ukraine. The production site is ISO 22000 and Bio certified. Further certifications are to follow (OHSAS 18000 and IFS).

In trading and producing an annual volume of 170,000 mt of agricultural products the company generates an annual turnover of ca. EUR 24 million. Letofin currently employs more than 70 people. Jevgeni Kostjutšenko joined Letofin in 2006 and is the general sales manager. 

AUDITOR: Letofin only started operating the processing and cleaning facilities in the Ukraine a few years ago. Do you already have expansion plans?
Kostjutšenko: We will be installing the full cycle Akyurek dehulling machines for sunflower seeds in autumn. All other machines in operation are only two years old and equipped with the latest state of the art in terms of technology. German and Italian machinery from PETKUS and Cimbria enable us to provide premium-quality products. We are still analysing the market and further investments will depend on the needs on the market. 

AUDITOR: Your main office is based in Tallinn. Why did you decide to open facilities in the Ukraine?
Kostjutšenko: The Ukraine is an important oilseed producer. We cultivate about 25,000 ha of land here and provide our customers with processed products sourced directly from our own harvest. 

AUDITOR: How do you maintain the quality of the production in the Ukraine?
Kostjutšenko: Our production site in the Ukraine has its own certified laboratory for the monitoring of quality on a regular basis. Letofin’s competitive advantage is the direct and full control of the value-added raw material chain from the field to the delivery of the product. We guarantee complete traceability for all our products. Our customers receive premium-quality food products. 

AUDITOR: Where does Letofin mainly export its products and who is your target group?
Kostjutšenko: We mainly ship our products to countries within the EU. Our target group includes a wide range of customers from the processors over the food manufactures right up to the wholesalers. We supply everyone. 

AUDITOR: Which agricultural products does Letofin focus on?
Kostjutšenko: We focus on products grown in the Ukraine. Our product line comprises oilseeds such as flaxseed, sunflower seeds and mustard seeds and lentils. 

AUDITOR: What is your view on the current market situation for oilseeds in the Ukraine?
Kostjutšenko: For sunflower seeds the stable crop in the Ukraine means that no stress is to be expected. We are currently offering Bakery kernels at a price of 650 EUR/mt FCA. Flaxseed production is to range at 40,000 mt* in the Ukraine. At present we are selling big bags for 505 EUR/mt DAP Germany. Unfortunately, the mustard seed crop is in a bad condition due the hot weather in June and the very wet conditions in July. The prices for mustard seeds are currently ranging at 850 EUR/mt FCA Ukraine. 

View more information on Letofin: www.letofin.ee 

*Oil World currently estimates the 2018/19 flaxseed production in the Ukraine at 60,000 mt.

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