December 13 2007, 09:20

Russia: almost all new large-scale greenhouse projects are invested by private capital

Almost all new large-scale greenhouse projects in Russia are funded by private capital, according to results of the survey done by the company Growth Technologies.

Most part of the operating national commercial greenhouses is accumulated now in Central and Privolzhskiy Federal Okrugs, 33% and 22% respectively. The least number of commercial greenhouses is located in Northern-Western Okrug with 6% of greenhouse complexes.

Despite of the extremely favorable weather conditions for year-round production of greenhouse plants, the share of Southern Federal Okrug is still only 8% of all Russian greenhouse areas. The most part of this share is represented by the products of "Yuzhniy" complex in Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, the direct supplier of greenhouse vegetables and flowers to Moscow.

The geographical distribution of commercial greenhouses still reflects the territorial scheme of the planned regional economics of former USSR: 20 years ago the determining factor for the greenhouse construction was the presence of consumers. That's why the greenhouses were most frequently constructed near large cities, and the production cost of the greenhouse products was underestimated. The cheapest energy in the world let greenhouse complexes spend it for greenhouse heating even on the territories close to North Pole.

However, the survey of Growth Technologies company proves, the greenhouse market is deeply concerned now on high tariff rates for energy, so its recent trends witness the obvious fixation of new projects to the regions with more favorable weather conditions. Such projects are, for example, greenhouse complex "Selkhozprominvest" on 16 ha which grow roses in Krasnodarskiy kray (the first stage of construction was launched in 2005), greenhouse vegetable complex on 30 ha in Astrakhanskaya region (the investor is "Baltimor" company, the investment plan starts in 2008).