---
title: "Moldovan farmer expands flock to 600 sheep in Todiresti"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/82246/moldovan-farmer-expands-flock-to-600-sheep-in-todiresti
published: 2026-08-03T06:00:00Z
language: en
author: "Redacția  TRM"
section: "Economic"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Moldovan farmer expands flock to 600 sheep in Todiresti

> In the village of Todiresti, located in the Ungheni district, a personal passion has turned into an expanding agribusiness. Four years ago, Dumitru Obriste started raising livestock on a small scale. Today, alongside his wife Ana, he manages a flock of roughly 600 sheep and goats.

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/LaER92YA7ck)

In the village of Todiresti, located in the Ungheni district, a personal passion has turned into an expanding agribusiness. Four years ago, Dumitru Obriste started raising livestock on a small scale. Today, alongside his wife Ana, he manages a flock of roughly 600 sheep and goats.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/70ef2742-1d6a-4a19-8dff-9f066f37910f.jpg)

Despite the growth, scaling up operations remains a challenge. The family currently navigates tight distribution channels and persistent infrastructure deficits.

**Adapting to local conditions**

To maximize output, Obriste selected local Moldovan breeds crossed with Assaf sheep, a mix known for resilience and adaptability. While milking operations are fully mechanized, the facility lacks connection to the central power grid. As a result, the family relies on fuel generators to keep equipment running.

Logistics present an equally tough hurdle. Market access for fresh cheese and lamb remains largely informal, driven by word-of-mouth demand.

The farm caters directly to seasonal buyers and diaspora clients, often packaging orders and dispatching them via regional transit routes.

**Structural hurdles in livestock sector**

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Moldova recorded over 531,000 sheep and goats at the start of the year. However, only 10% of these animals are raised within formal agricultural enterprises, highlighting a heavily fragmented sector dominated by smallholders.

For Obriste, overcoming distribution bottlenecks is the next critical step. Building a sustainable market presence requires bridging the gap between small-scale production and formal retail networks.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/f946f29d-859c-40a8-8c22-7181c6dfae2e.jpg)