Agroholding ECO-Culture is investing 10.1 billion rubles in the construction of new greenhouses this year. In general, ten complexes with a total area of 233.4 hectares with a total investment of 81.7 billion rubles are at different stages of implementation. Yuri Voronov, director of the company’s credit management department, spoke about this. The agricultural sector still remains attractive for investors: in the new circumstances, it is very important to ensure the uninterrupted supply of food products to the domestic market, he believes.
“The events of recent months have affected the economy of investment projects: building materials, components and equipment have grown in price, logistics has become more complicated and expensive,” Voronov noted. “Nevertheless, ABH ECO-Culture continues to implement a large-scale development program in full and does not change previously adopted plans, our agricultural holding is in an active investment phase.”
At the same time, he draws attention to the fact that the investment program is being implemented with state support. “In recent years, the greenhouse industry as a whole has been developing and providing accelerated import substitution thanks to the active systemic support of the state, with the attraction of credit resources at preferential rates, with the receipt of subsidies and benefits, and now this development continues,” Voronov said. Debt financing remains quite affordable, banks are ready to continue lending to projects in the agro-industrial complex, he continues, adding that, of course, in the new conditions, banks are strengthening the attention and control of borrowers, and this is normal.
The activity of investments in the greenhouse sector has decreased in recent months, but this was not affected by the foreign policy situation, commented Natalia Rogova, General Director of the Greenhouses of Russia Association. According to her, more than 200 hectares of modern greenhouses are currently being built, in addition, there are several projects for the preparation and construction of greenhouses in the Far Eastern Federal District. Given the results of the construction of greenhouse complexes over the past seven to eight years and the double increase in vegetable production over this period, banks continue to participate in financing projects in the greenhouse sector, she confirms.
