Twelve months after starting the construction of the greenhouse, Aqtobe Greenery is harvesting its first tomatoes in Kazakhstan. This high-tech greenhouse is a joint venture of the Dutch operators FoodVentures, together with the Kazakhstan Silk Road Agricultural Growth Fund and local Kazakh businessmen. "This official opening is the milestone of our ambition of developing the best operating greenhouse in the region", they explain. Within the coming 3 years Aqtobe Greenery will develop to its full capacity of 20 hectares production area, with an annual production of 12,000-15,000 tons of fresh vegetables.
The company is using flare gas from the nearby oil fields as its primary source of heating. Instead of flaring, the gas is turned into electricity and heat by two Caterpillar gensets of 4.2 MW each. Enough capacity is secured to develop this project to its full capacity. “The availability of this flare gas, the stable climate conditions combined with high radiation convinced us to invest in this location”, explains Dirk Aleven, CEO of FoodVentures. “We aim to supply year-round fresh vegetables, at a constant quality level and for a reasonable price.”
So far nothing new. "But with the involvement of Dutch operators, and with the support of professional suppliers like Rijk Zwaan and off-takers as Lenta, Aqtobe Greenery will introduce the next level of quality."
“Growing a tasty tomato, still affordable, and safe from pesticides and herbicides is a challenge, especially during winter. It is possible however, and we will make it the new standard”, says Dirk Aleven. Rijk Zwaan supports Aqtobe Greenery in its choice of varieties. The company decided to grow a tasty Rijk Zwaan variety, which offers consumers high quality and tasty tomatoes year-round.
“Together with Kazakh and Russian retailers, we have looked at the trend in the consumption of tomatoes. We are very happy that Aqtobe Greenery has chosen to grow our varieties. We will offer our full support, to make it successful”, says Jan-Willem Cirkel, manager horticultural projects at Rijk Zwaan.
Today the first phase of the project is officially opened by honored guests including Dirk-Jan Kop, the ambassador for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kazakhstan, Andras Baranyi, the ambassador for Hungary in Kazakhstan, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs mister Ermek Kosherbayev and Regional Akim, mister Urazalin Ondasyn.
The current stage of development includes 5 hectares of semi-closed KUBO greenhouses, 1 hectare nursery, the service zone and the energy building with its co-gens. “A total of EUR 20 million is invested for this first phase and the preparation of the next phases”, says Emil Milushev, CFO for Aqtobe Greenery.
“Sber Bank has offered us excellent project finance for this first investment, supported by KazAgro Garant. After the first harvests of the coming week, we will immediately continue with the investment in the second 5 hectares.” In the second phase of the project, a sophisticated packaging line will be included to offer higher added value to its current products and offer better service to the Kazakh and Russian retailers.
