Iradia driving Cobb forward in Balkan region - THE BALKANS - The Iradia Company, suppliers of Cobb broiler breeders in the Balkan region, is planning to start its own production of hatching eggs in Serbia next year as part of an on-going expansion programme.

Over the past 10 years Iradia has grown to become an important part of the chicken industry in Serbia and Bosnia, supplying Cobb breeding stock, hatching eggs and poultry equipment.

The company was appointed as agent for Cobb in 1998 and its responsibility was expanded in April 2005, when Cobb Germany increased its market area to include Croatia and Macedonia. Now it will expand in Serbia by placing its own breeding stock to produce hatching eggs, adding to its established operations in Bosnia. The first 10,000 parents are being housed this month (December) on farms which Iradia has purchased in Serbia.

"Although we had 95 per cent of the market in Bosnia in 2004, we appreciate that Serbia is a considerably bigger market," says Jasmina Atlic, managing director of Iradia. "Four years ago our market share was around four or five per cent, so our current 25 per cent is a big success for us."

"We have been involved in trading hatching eggs for two years in Serbia, and now with our own production we shall have the benefit of having everything under our own control."

In the autumn of 2004 Iradia appointed Dr Ermin Grbic as technical director and he is responsible for technical services, supported by Dr Marek Pospiech from Cobb Germany.

"As all the countries we service are very close, we can react very quickly, providing advice readily on the spot", says Dr Grbic, "Our customers are also able to communicate directly with our experts in their own language."

He adds: "Cobb 500 flocks in our area have achieved some excellent results such as 169 hatching eggs/hen housed with 88 per cent average hatchability to 64 weeks of age, and a total of 145.23 chicks / hen housed.

"Our plan is to put the emphasis on expanding our own production of hatching eggs and to extend our market. The quality of the Cobb 500 and the confidence that we have in our production assures us that we are able to offer a quality product at a competitive price," says Miss Biljana Tomic, commercial director of Iradia.

Source: Cobb - 3rd January 2006