MOSCOW, January 20 The largest tomato producer in the Astrakhan region, AIC «Astrakhansky», has contracted almost all the needs for tomato seeds; by the beginning of sowing, the entire required volume will be imported completed, the general director of the enterprise, Mikhail Zaitsev, told reporters.
Two large vegetable producing regions — the Astrakhan and Volgograd regions — are faced with the problem of a shortage of imported seeds of tomatoes, carrots and onions before the spring planting season; difficulties could lead to a decrease in the yield of the largest producer of tomato paste, RBC wrote on Saturday: in particular, it was indicated that a difficult situation has developed at the largest tomato producer in the region — the Astrakhansky agro-industrial complex enterprise.
Later, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that the Russian agro-industrial complex is 60% supplied with open-ground vegetable seeds before the spring sowing season, and the purchase continues, but the emphasis is on domestic selection .
“As of January 20, the company has contracted for 87% of the need for tomato seeds. Work to complete the contracting and import continues and will be completed by the beginning of the sowing season,” said Zaitsev, commenting on the information published in the media on the situation with the shortage of seeds at the enterprise.
According to him, difficulties in interaction with foreign suppliers have objectively existed recently, but at the same time, Astrakhansky is constantly working to overcome possible risks, and it is being carried out in close coordination with regional authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“»We clearly understand our responsibility to Russian consumers and are doing everything possible to increase the pace of production. Active work is underway on contracting and supplying all necessary components, including seed material. The company expresses confidence in the planned start of field work for the 2024 season «, concluded Zaitsev.