August 22 2008, 10:09

South Kazakhstan started exporting melons to EU

Melons from the South Kazakhstan are exported to the EU countries, Kazinform reported.

Service-procuring center “Myrzashol” sponsored by APC “Ontustic” started realization of the pilot project on melons shipments to the European Union countries. Melons of “Myrzashol” variety, cultivated by the farms of Mahtaaralskiy region, are packed to the branded packages, refrigerated to +5 degrees, pass gas treatment and shipped to Latvia, Lithuania and Russia in refrigerators.

Disinfected and stopped in growth melons are longer stored and remain fresh when achieve the counters of abroad supermarkets. “Export of agricultural products will bring good profit to the farmers. However, the EU countries make special requirements. In particular, a melon should pass special treatment, be shipped in euro-packs in refrigerators that keep determined temperature. Even volume and weight of each melon is stipulated,” Kanat Pilalov, the director of SPC Myrzashol, informed.

In order to meet the requirements of the customers from Europe, the procuring center purchased the imported equipment – a tunnel where melons are cooled, and the chambers for gas treatment with phytophags.

“Service-procuring center “Myrzashol” unites over 500 farms, operating in the region. Except for melon crops, we are engaged in procurement of other agricultural products from the farmers. By the futures contracts, concluded in March, we financed spring planting. Melons - one of the directions of the center’s activity. And today our harvest is exported far abroad. The demand for melons of this variety is very high – Myrzashol melon is well-known and valued. It has unique taste. Our dream is to make “Myrzashol” as a global brand. And we have all preconditions for this”, - Kanat Pilalov told.

This product is realized within investment program “Regional agrocomplex “Ontustic”, initiated by JSC APC Ontustic and supported by the Government. Besides procuring centers, according to this program, green houses, feed, dairy farms, trade-transport infrastructure, wholesale and retail chain for agricultural products are being started.