PRODUCTS FROM OČAUŠ REACH THE UNITED STATES MARKET

A diverse selection of traditional products from the village of Očauš near Teslić has made its way to international customers, including those in the United States. This was highlighted by producer Živojin Đukarić, who recently presented his goods at the Mostar Fair, showcasing a wide range of cheeses, brandies, medicinal herbs, and other homemade specialties.

PHOTO: Agroklub

“Our stand offers a bit of everything, something for everyone,” Đukarić said, explaining that the foundation of their production lies in gathering wild forest fruits and medicinal herbs. These raw ingredients are later processed into final products at their rural household in Očauš, where they have also developed a unique form of rural tourism.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Their production is guided by a clear philosophy—quality comes before quantity. Annually, in cooperation with other small producers, they place around two tons of cheese on the market. The cheeses, made from cow, sheep, and goat milk, are prepared according to their recipes, aged, refined, and packaged at their facility.

“This is not industrial production. Everyone has their role, and although the quantities are small, we are the driving force behind the entire process,” Đukarić explained.

In addition to cheese, their workshop produces around 1,000 packages of herbal teas, the same number of vinegar bottles, and approximately 500 bottles of brandy each year. All products are handmade, using indigenous varieties and wild ingredients, making large-scale production impossible.

Among their offerings are unique items such as cheese with morel mushrooms and wild garlic preserved in olive oil. These recipes are the result of years of research and dedication.

DEMAND WITHOUT MARKETING STRUGGLES

Despite their limited production capacity, Đukarić says they face no issues when it comes to sales.

“Everything we produce—we sell. I do only this for a living, and it’s possible to make a good life, like in Switzerland,” he noted.

A significant portion of their sales comes from fairs, with more than 50 events attended annually across the former Yugoslavia. Direct interaction with customers, he emphasizes, remains their most valuable marketing tool.

“Word of mouth is the best advertising. There’s nothing more effective than when someone shares their experience and brings the product to others,” Đukarić added, noting that their goods have even reached customers across the Atlantic, with many returning for repeat purchases.

AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE THROUGH RURAL TOURISM

In addition to fairs, customers can purchase products directly at their household, which also serves as a rural tourism destination. Visitors have the opportunity to see how products are made, taste them, and enjoy the authentic countryside atmosphere.

The property is designed in a retro style, reminiscent of rural households from 50 or 60 years ago, complete with a traditional mill, watermill, and outdoor facilities. Visits are organized by prior arrangement, as the location operates on a private basis.

The household also includes a workshop equipped with small-scale processing tools, as well as certified organic production of potatoes and garlic. Their assortment ranges from aged fruit brandies—such as wild pear and cherry—to vinegar matured for up to three years. They also produce natural balms and soaps made from donkey milk, free from preservatives and additives.

“Every product finds its buyer. What matters most is that it is natural and of high quality,” Đukarić concluded.