The Beginning

When founders of the Chumak Company, young Swedish businessmen Johan Boden and Carl Sturen, came to Ukraine for the first time in 1993, they were 21 and 19 years old only. Both were engaged in the family vegetable production business in Sweden. It happened that a cucumber crop was lost in Estonia that year, which made them look for a replacement for the lost supplies in other places. After coming to Ukraine, they have found the new platform for establishment of their own company.

Johan and Carl returned in Ukraine in order to find a suitable site for the future production facilities. They have traveled throughout the country and visited 32 factories before finally found the Kakhovka plant in Kherson region. In 1995, Johan and Carl realized the necessity of building their own production facilities. When looking for investors, they got support and understanding from Professor Hans Rausing — the founder of the Tetra Pak Company, the leading producer of food packaging.

Initially, Kahovka had fields with overripe cucumbers and the depreciated tinned food factory only. Young businessmen had to build the company and production facilities “from the scratch” — and they managed to do it. The original name of the Company was South Food, Inc. — it was the joint venture of the Swedish partners and the State Property Fund (SPF) of Ukraine.
 

Chumak began to produce the first ketchup in Ukraine

For the first time, Chumak Company introduced its ketchup to Ukrainian customers. Before, regulations of the State Department of Food Quality and the Register of Foodstuff did not recognize ketchup as a type of food – the closest known product was tomato sauce.

Chumak Company successfully advocated for official adoption of the "ketchup" term and launched the first ketchup-producing facility in Ukraine. Soon after the ketchup was launched, Chumak became the general sponsor of the Tavria Games, at that time the country’s largest popular music festival. In a way, it was a bow of respect to the southern region, known as Tavria in the ancient times.

Two new factories in Kakhovka for sunflower oil production

Chumak purchased two more production facilities in Kakhovka – this time for sunflower oil production. One of them, an abandoned concrete panel plant, was converted into an oil extraction and bottling plant in no more than six months. It was the first sunflower oil production facility in the region operating on such level.

Chumak owns the largest field of cucumbers in Europe

This year, on the edge of two centuries, the Company grew by 78% as a result of successful sales-work and reasonable product positioning. Chumak also boasted the Europe’s largest cucumber field. That same year, the company’s two sunflower oil production enterprises were merged into one firm: Chumak Oil.

Chumak also started co-packing cooperation with leading Argentinean Food Company "Molinos de la Plata", producing sunflower oil under the brand Molinos.

Cooperation with "Orkla Foods"

Chumak ketchup won the semi-annual Choice of the Year competition — twice. That same year, the Government awarded Chumak with the medal "For Ukraine’s Revival" of the 1st grade for the firm’s "significant contribution into Ukraine’s economy".

Chumak also added some prominent partners during this period. Cooperation with Orkla Foods marked the new stage in Chumak’s product development and enriched the company with new experience in the fields of sales and marketing.

Chumak Mayonnaise appeared in a new "Doy-Pack" packaging

Sales grew considerably as Chumak brand reached wider audience through distribution growth and new product launches. Chumak launched its Original and Provance mayonnaises in the 200g soft packs, which was a right competitive step.

The mayonnaises line was extended with two new varieties: Original Light and Delicate. Later Chumak Original Light and Delicate mayonnaises where introduced in 1 kg and 2 kg pails, which made them more suitable for catering service.

Cooking Sauces line was updated in May, 2004. There were offered four new different tastes to consumers: Classic, Vegetable, with Spices, with Herbs. It was a real success on the Ukrainian market.

Chumak is the biggest processor of tomatoes in Central and Eastern Europe

Chumak Company put into operation the largest tomato processing plant in the Central and Eastern Europe in Kakhovka town, Kherson region. Due to new facility launch and willing to enhance tomato processing and improve quality, Chumak decided to terminate tomato-processing operations at Skadovsk canning factory.

Chumak processes tomatoes using technologies and equipment of the leading European manufacturers, which ensure high processing efficiency and excellent quality of products.

Macaroni factory opening

Chumak builds the macaroni plant in Kakhovka. The tentative commissioning date falls on December 2009. Chumak was certified with Safety Management System of Food for compliance with the national standard DSTU ISO 22000 Ukraine, which corresponds to the international standard ISO 22000:2008.

Pasta Prima. Italian quality, Ukrainian price!

Chumak Tomato paste won the "Choice of the Year" award. In 2011, the Company launched a new affordable brand of soft wheat pasta – Pasta Prima. It combines Italian quality and attractive Ukrainian price.

"Ketchup for Kids" - The beginning of Success story

In 2013, Chumak introduced new product – Ketchup for Children, which was recognized as the most successful launch of the year by Effie contest.

The world's first Ketchup from yellow tomatoes

Chumak Company launched Yellow ketchup – the unique product on the global market of tomato ketchup.

The next step in the development of the Сompany was the certification of safety management system of food products for compliance with the FSSC 22000 certification. It was the requirement of the clients, such as Unilever, trade networks of the EU and Ukraine. FSSC 22000 is one of the certification systems for processing of food products, approved by the Global Initiative for Food Safety Standards - GFSI.

"Ketchup for Kids" saves little people

The Company launched new condiment sauce - Blue Cheese, to support the growing successful category.
We opened sales for new range of delicacies: dried tomatoes in glass and Pesto sauce.
Chumak passed the audit for compliance with the international global standard BRC GFSI.
Chumak arranged a charity action to raise funds for the purchase of cardiac implants for children, transferring 15 kopeeks from each sold pack of ketchup to “Nove Zhyttya” charitable organization.

From May 2019 Chumak company is owned by Delta Wilmar

From May 2019 Chumak company is owned by Delta Wilmar - the Ukraine affiliate of Wilmar International Ltd Singapore, one of Asia’s leading agribusiness group.

Company continues to expand business to new markets, and we are happy to inform all CHUMAK customers that our products are already available in Oman, Singapore, Mongolia, OAE and Republic of Mauritius

24 лютого 2022 року Чумак зупинила виробництво у Каховці Херсонської області

24 лютого 2022 року Чумак зупинила виробництво у Каховці Херсонської області.  Вторгнення росії в Україну, тимчасова окупація Херсонської області та міста Каховка призвели до втрати контролю з боку ПрАТ «Чумак» над власними виробничими потужностями.

Віримо в Збройні Сили України, віримо у найскоріше звільнення всієї території України від ворога та готуємось до відновлення виробництва в Каховці.

Компанія Чумак приєднується до участі у програмі «Національний кешбек»

Компанія Чумак приєднується до участі у програмі «Національний кешбек». Програма реалізується Міністерством економіки України, та надає можливість покупцям українських товарів повернути 10% їх вартості. 74 товарні позиції компанії доступні користувачам програми.

Соуси приправи Чумак розширюють асортимент, і Чумак стає ТОП 2 брендом соусів приправ.

Компанія запускає програму збору оцінок своїх продуктів з метою аналізу та вдосконалення якості задля кращого задоволення потреб споживачів. Тепер споживачі можуть залишити свій відгук одразу після купівлі та проби продукції ТМ Чумак, за допомогою qr коду на пакуванні.

Establishment of Chumak

Gradually they came to the idea of naming the Company “Chumak”. This name is deeply rooted into Ukrainian history and closely tied with the operational region of the Company. “Chumaks” were traveling merchants. In the 17th century, they were engaged in trading salt and other goods, traveling from southern Black Sea coast of Ukraine to Russia and Western Europe, exchanging salt for money and goods.

Chumaks named the Milky Way “the Chumak’s Way”, as it looked like a long road sprinkled with salt. Chumak celebrates the Company’s birthday on May 29 — the day when the Ukrainian Closed Joint-Stock Company Chumak was launched, having $4.1 million as a start-up capital. Further events are the story of continuous development and persistent moving forward.

The beginning of long-term relationships with McDonald's

The Company purchased its second production facility, an outmoded canning factory in Skadovsk, Kherson region. After a thorough renovation, Chumak was able to process ripe Kherson tomatoes within hours after harvesting.

In addition, the Company launched the first European quality mayonnaise in Ukraine.

Original Mayonnaise, or simply "Spravzhniy Mayonnaise" in Ukrainian, became a real success in the consumer market. This year is also known as the start of cooperation with McDonald`s as Chumak became their first supplier ever in the CIS. Starting with cucumbers, followed by ketchup and mayonnaise – these where the products regularly supplied to McDonald`s. As a supplier of McDonald’s, the Company began to pass annual SQMS audits – supplier’s quality management system – to meet their high expectations. SQMS audit covers requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 22000, PAS 220 and McDonald’s standards.

Chumak introduces innovations

Chumak introduced new environmentally safe packaging — EcoLean, a state-of-the-art packaging material that binds natural carbonates with plastics. The first bottle of Chumak sunflower oil was released and Chumak quickly took the second position in the big Ukrainian market for bottled sunflower oil.

Chumak significantly improved the vegetable growing technologies introducing drip irrigation to the Kherson region. Such system was deployed in Ukraine for the first time.

They brought plastic drip irrigation pipes from Sweden to serve 20 hectares of land. The system was installed on the land, which the Company rented from a local collective farm, and the results were impressive. On an experimental tomato field, local farmers together yielded 80 tons of tomatoes per hectare. This was twice the record set in the former Soviet Union, and about five times the average yield before irrigation!

"From field to table". First NFC Tomato juice

The Company launched Ukraine’s largest fresh tomato processing plant when a refurbished plant opened at the site of an old canning factory in Skadovsk. This was also the only plant in Ukraine to handle the full production cycle - from fresh tomatoes to end-product. This made Chumak the only producer in Ukraine who makes tomato juice from ripe tomatoes, rather than from tomato concentrate.

The high quality level of Chumak production was once again confirmed when the Company won the contract for producing Calve ketchup for Unilever.

Tomato revolution. The juiciest tomato paste

Chumak introduced new tomato paste in a new convenient package Tetra Classic. The "Tomato Pyramid" quickly became a best-seller in Ukrainian market, as it was right-sized for many popular Ukrainian dishes.

Later on, Chumak launched the premium class canned vegetable line, which included Adjika, Sweet Pepper and Cherry Tomatoes. In December, Chumak launched ketchup in small packs called “doy-packs”, which quickly gained popularity among Ukrainians because of high quality and excellent taste. An office was established in Kyiv where the Sales Management and Chumak Marketing Team since reside.

Salad dressings launching

In 2005, Chumak brand captured major market shares in all its main categories. Major news included new varieties of ketchup and mayonnaise as well as targeted offers for the catering market. Chumak took part in developing the condiment culture by launching two new lines of products: Chumak Condiment Sauces and Salad Dressings "Salad+".

New office. New technology

In 2008, capacities of the tomato processing plant doubled and reached 2,500,000 kg of tomatoes daily. In addition, Chumak introduced a new technology for production of preservatives-free mayonnaise. In March 2008, the Investment Company Dragon Capital and East Capital Bering Ukraine Fund jointly bought 70% stock of Chumak from one of the Company’s co-founders — Professor Hans Rausing. Later this year, the Company completed the construction of new office in Kakhovka town.

Chumak Pasta sauces launch

New macaroni plant is commissioned. The plant produces the best-selling types of macaroni in Ukraine: "Trubochki”, “Periia”, “Spiralki”, “Cherepashki”, “Vermishel”, “Rozhki”. Construction of new plant was commenced in 2009 and completed in 2010. The project investments were USD 3 m.

In addition, we launched spaghetti sauces – the product that is absolutely new for Ukrainian market. There are four types of sauces – “Arrabbiata”, “Boscaiola”, “Napolitana” and “Italian Bolognese”.

New launches: fruit juice assortment in glass

Chumak offered to consumers a new range of natural juices produced from local fruits. The range includes popular tastes, such as Apple, Multifruit, Apple-Grape, Peach and others. In 2012, with a score of 84% out of 100%, Chumak passed SCQM audit of Heinz Company.

Fruzi - kids smoothie

The Company launched a new fruit product for children above three-year-old - smoothie “Fruzi” in suitable 65 g classic Tetra pack. 100% natural. No added sugar or water.
Chumak passed the audit for compliance with integrated safety management system and the quality of food products ordered by Auchan with the result of 99% out of 100%. The result of Metro audit for compliance with the system of quality and safety food management was 99% out of 100%.

"Food wants change". Chumak expands the Condiments Sauces assortment

The Company launched a number of new products:
-    Extension of the Fruzi line with chocolate flavor; 
-    Ketchup Light with stevia extract which totally replaces sugar; 
-    Ketchup Red hot with spicy jalapeno pepper; 
-    Cheese Condiment Sauce;
-    Foodservice products in a special package of 1 kg: Ketchup Tomato, mayonnaise French Provencal, tomato paste 20%.
Chumak obtained FSSC 22000 certificate for pasta production.

Chumak brand has become one of the most expensive brands in Ukraine.

According to the rating of NV and MPP Consulting, Chumak has ranked 16th among the most expensive Ukrainian brands of the country, increasing its value by 50%.
In 2018 Chumak Company renovated corporate website and started cooperation with the largest online supermarket in the country – Rozetka.
Chumak has been certified according to the International Standards for Organic Production and received the ORGANIC certificate. Chumak has successful re-passed BRC audit with A and AA grades and, for the first time, has passed FSMA AND 21CFR120 audits.
The new Private Label products were launched for leading multinational companies such as ATB, Metro, WOG, COOP, McDonalds Belarus.
Kakhovka has successfully launched new production lines: PET filling and DIP PAK - one size package - filling.

Чумак перезапускає Майонези у новому дизайні і з новою актуальною обіцянкою

Пандемія COVID-19 внесла значні корективи в роботу компанії, змінивши споживчі звички та логістичні ланцюжки.

Зріз попит на продукти тривалого зберігання, готові страви та здорову їжу і Чумак відреагував на ці запити:

Чумак перезапускає Майонези у новому дизайні і з новою актуальною обіцянкою

• Чумак більш натуральний - особлива технологія виробництва, пастеризація, без консервантів
• І зберігається - 8 днів в холодильнику, після відкриття

Запускає новинки в Кулінарних помічниках  - «Засмажка для перших та других страв» та нову категорію Маринади.

Розширює лінійку соусів приправ, зокрема і соєвих соусів.

Закріплює лідерство у кетчупі для дітей та розширює асортимент – кетчупом для дітей з медом

Виробництво продукції Чумак відновлюється на інших заводах та виробничих майданчиках як в Україні, так і за кордоном.

Спираючись на знання та багаторічний досвід  у харчовій індустрії, компанія Чумак продовжує працювати над забезпеченням продовольчої безпеки в Україні. Виробництво продукції Чумак відновлюється на інших заводах та виробничих майданчиках як в Україні, так і за кордоном.

В Україні повертаються майже всі ключові категорії продуктів під ТМ Чумак: кетчуп, томатна паста, майонези, макарони, соуси приправи.

Запускається повністю нова категорія для компанія – маргарини в брикетах.

Відновлюється експорт продукції під ТМ ЧУМАК на 22 ринки.