- Projects
- Passionate cheesemakers in Algeria
Nalilait is a small Algerian enterprise producing cheese with proven Dutch quality. The young owners, who are veterinarians, advised local dairy farmers on how to produce high-quality milk in a sustainable way. The cooperation with PUM started when they produced the first cheese with this excellent milk. They are now a steady growing cheese producer and have high ambitions for the future. In this stage, they again collaborated with a PUM expert, this time to jointly draft a five-year strategic growth plan, including an application for a small financial investment. Along the way, owner Naila Chaker received a national price rewarding her female entrepreneurship.
The small Algerian company Nalilait is situated in Constantine and owned by a young couple, Naila Chaker and Walid Bouzid. As veterinarians they always wanted to make cheese from the best and healthiest milk. Their first step was to improve the milk quality from their local suppliers and promote sustainable production. Therefore they brought their knowledge to the dairy farmers with whom they developed a strong relationship, also by paying them a better than average price for their product. Using this excellent milk, they started to produce cheese
Scheenstra cheese
Country coordinator Eva van der Fluit was in Algeria for a Project Development Visit: “We also visited Naila and Walid who proudly talked about their entrepreneurial journey and how they are living their dream. They started the small cheese factory in 2015 and through their professional network they came in contact with Mohamed Haroun, who is a vet and also happens to be PUM’s representative in Constantine. With support from PUM expert and cheesemaker, Meint Scheenstra, the couple worked on a process to produce cheese with proven Dutch quality. All those years, they had weekly e-mail contact with him and got inspired to produce Gouda and Edam cheese. Their specialised high-quality products are difficult to make, but also difficult to copy. Neila and Walid are so thankful to Mr. Scheenstra that they put his name on their cheeses. A special tribute to a PUM expert!”
Awarded female entrepreneurship
In 2018, Naila Chaker was the laureate of the Entrepreneurship Support Programme Award focusing on female entrepreneurs, organised by the Algerian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAF). “Cheesemaking is my passion, my path.” Naila explained during the press briefing. “When I finished my studies, I became interested in animal husbandry and dairy production. I quickly got involved in this field and I could see that it had potential.” Naila’s project was one of the 269 entries of this competition. She stood out thanks to years of experience, the endless dedication to her business and the outstanding quality of her cheese. With the financial incentive she received, Naila expanded the plant, diversified the product range and tripled the production.
Ambitious plans
The owners of Nalilait contacted PUM again: their ambition is to become the best cheese producer in Algeria and to be available in all Algerian major cities with their cheese brand Caffy. To achieve this ambitious goal they asked PUM to jointly work on a marketing plan. PUM expert Roelof Speckmann suggested to draft a long-term strategic growth plan, including a request for a grant with PUM’s fund Hans Blankert Fonds. Roelof: “In the marketing plan, we elaborated on the five Ps, being product, price, promotion, place and people. We discussed about the product range and diversification; setting competing prices; the branding and promotion of the Caffy products; the distribution and sales strategy; and creating a Nalilait family that consists of well-qualified and loyal people. The plan is now in the hands of the owners and is being implemented immediately.”
A pasteuriser doubling production
At Nalilait, every euro earned goes back into the business. Over the years, sales have grown steadily, but costs are more or less in line with sales growth. Roelof: “Since Nalilait has little liquidity, it is hard to invest in machines. That is why we applied for a Hans Blankert Fund grant, which will partly pay for a larger pasteuriser. This machine will produce double volumes and the cost price will be reduced with 25%.” The machine will not only be used to make Gouda and Edam cheese, it is also suitable for future cheese varieties. At the moment, the machine is specifically needed to be able to start producing and selling Mozzarella cheese in a few months’ time.
Future plans
“As PUM, we encourage long-term relations.” states country coordinator Eva, “Not only with one company but also with its ecosystem.” Nalilait will continue its cooperation with PUM, not only to extend the product range with blue cheese, but also to sharpen their marketing strategy, and improve management. PUM would also like share knowledge with the dairy farmers to further improve their sustainable production.
