- Tell us how the idea for this particular production facility came about?
- Arzhanitsa was founded in 1992. Its founder was my father, Anatoly Apollinarievich Brilenok. He was originally from Glubokoye. The idea to create this facility didn't come to him right away. At the time, he was manufacturing equipment for the food industry. But my father, like many people at the time, loved sweets, as they were in short supply. It's a family thing; I also enjoy candy. So he thought, why not try making cranberries in powdered sugar, which was so well-known in Soviet times? Besides, the area around Glubokoye, and indeed the Vitebsk region as a whole, is rich in this berry. The largest number of wild cranberries grows in the Yelnya bog in the Miory district. Within four years, we had everything we needed for production ready. In 1996, our first product was released. By the way, my mother, Nina Vasilyevna, also works here.
- When did you become director?
- I started working here in 2014. But my education isn't related to this field. I studied at Polotsk State University, specializing in "Machines and Apparatus for Chemical Production and Construction Materials Enterprises." I was assigned to work for seven years at the Polimir plant, part of Naftan OJSC. My father often said, "Come on, take over the family business." Finally, I decided to do it. Of course, there's a lot more to do now; being captain of a ship isn't easy.
- How many people do you employ?
- According to the staffing table, there are 27 workers, including management. There's no turnover; people hold on to their jobs. There are no training programs for specialists in our production, so we train newcomers ourselves. We also hire young specialists; we have a contract with the Minsk College of Bakery Arts.
- How are cranberries made in powdered sugar?
- Equipment is crucial. The canning table was developed by my father. The system has its own unique features, some of which are a secret, a trade secret. The production line and process are patented. The recipe has been approved by the relevant authorities. We also don't use ready-made powdered sugar. We grind our own sugar (mainly from the Slutsk Sugar Refinery) in a micromill. The end result is a fluffy, airy mass. Powdered sugar is applied to the product on the sealing table. However, this is not yet a finished product, but a semi-finished product. If you pick up a candy at this point, the powder will immediately crumble. Therefore, there is a final stage – drying in cabinets. Only after this does packaging occur. The line can produce 600-800 kg of candies per shift.
- Are there any requirements for the berries?
- We need fairly large cranberries with white sides, firm. All incoming berries pass through two sorting machines, manufactured in-house. During the sorting stage, moss, leaves, and other impurities are removed, and the clean berries are stored. We also have our own certified radiation monitoring station that checks the berries for background radiation. This is essential, as the marshes where the cranberries grow are themselves radiation concentrators. According to safety regulations, the cesium-137 (Cs-137) level in fresh wild cranberries should not exceed 185 Bq/kg. Our cranberries never exceed 10-20 Bq/kg (the natural background level). This year, we purchased 38.5 tons of cranberries, as well as wild blueberries, lingonberries, and garden raspberries.
- Where do you ship your products?
- Mainly to the Belarusian market, but also to Moscow, including the Belarusian pavilion at VDNKh. We also have small shops in Georgia. We have no opportunity to expand our distribution geography because the pills have a shelf life of only 30 days from production. This short shelf life is due to the fact that only fresh berries are used in the pills. If stored for too long, the cranberries release their juice and moisture, and they dry out. We also periodically present our product at various exhibitions.
- Does the company produce more than just cranberries in powdered sugar?
- Consumers are always asking for something new. Today, we offer six types of wild cranberry dragees with various natural flavors. For example, we have some with cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. The two latest new products are orange and coffee flavors. We make "Zhuravinka" chocolate candies (a combination of large-fruited garden cranberries and chocolate coating sprinkled with hazelnuts, almonds, or peanuts), as well as marmalade, including in wafer tartlets. Regarding the latter, we are currently installing a new filling machine, which will allow us to increase production of the dessert. We also make canned goods from crushed berries and natural syrups.
- The "Patsalunki-Padarunki" brand, under which you produce products, has become a favorite among many. What is the secret to its success?
- I think it's all about the natural ingredients. None of our products contain cheap, harmful substitutes, colorings, flavorings, or other artificial ingredients. Our entire product line has declarations of conformity with the Customs Union (EAEU) for mass production in the Republic of Belarus. This year, our flagship product, "Cranberry in Powdered Sugar," was awarded the Grand Prix at the PRODEXPO-2025 International Specialized Wholesale Exhibition and Fair in the tasting competition under the slogan "Traditions. Quality. Innovation" in the "Best Souvenir Product" category.
- What are your plans for the future?
- To continue producing tasty and healthy products, expand our product range, increase productivity, and generally delight our customers.
Elena ANISKOVICH,
Photo by Alexander HITROV,