Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko examined the progress in the implementation of the government's instructions and the strategy for the development of greenhouse vegetable farming in Belarus for 2023-2027 as he toured the Rassvet agricultural company named after K.P. Orlovsky near the town of Kirovsk, Mogilev Oblast, BelTA learned.
"We have fully met the domestic demand for cucumbers this off-season," Roman Golovchenko said. "When drawing up the plans, we were guided by the consumption figures of previous years. Since domestic cucumbers have become more affordable, Belarusians consumed 1.6 times more of them this winter than in previous years. This is due to its greater availability and cheaper prices and growing incomes of the population. So people can buy more. We planted more cucumbers than planned initially. As it turned out, we did it right."
The prime minister emphasized that the vegetable output is exported in excess of the domestic demand. "Cucumbers are sold domestically and in demand in foreign markets," Roman Golovchenko added. "As for the greenhouses, we have clear plans regarding their modernization. All in all, we have set out to upgrade about 50 hectares. Of them 23 hectares have already been renovated or new ones have been built. Some more will be commissioned this year. This program will be completed in 2026 - early 2027."
Moreover, some businesses show interest in investing in the construction of greenhouses and greenhouse vegetable production. According to Roman Golovchenko, this interest is reasonable, because this industry is profitable due to the high demand and significant state preferences for greenhouse farming.
"Therefore, in terms of state organizations, the plans will be fulfilled, but I do not exclude that there will be new volumes not previously planned. This is good, because more goods mean lower prices inside the country and more export supplies. These products are in demand," the prime minister concluded.
By 2027, Belarus will be 86% self-sufficient in tomatoes, Belarusian Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Vladimir Grakun told the media during the working visit of Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko to Rassvet agricultural company named after K.P. Orlovsky in Kirovsk District on 14 February. The progress in the implementation of the government's instructions and the strategy for the development of greenhouse vegetable farming in Belarus for 2023-2027 was examined during the visit.
"The main task of the greenhouse complex was to provide the population with vegetable products in the off-season," Vladimir Grakun said. "The corresponding strategy has been developed and greenhouse complexes have been selected to ensure that in the off-season we do not need to import these products. The strategy included 10 greenhouses. They carried out modernization on 23 hectares, which helped us meet 100% of the needs in domestic cucumbers in 2023. In 2024, we fulfilled it [the plan for domestic cucumbers] by 161% and started work on tomatoes."
According to the deputy minister, in 2023 tomato production was to make up 35% of the needs under the strategy, but tomato production in the country reached 37%. "For the remaining period until 2027, we have to modernize nine hectares under additional lighting and build 12.3 hectares of new greenhouses," Vladimir Grakun said. "All of them will be used to grow tomatoes. As a result, we will be 100% self-sufficient in cucumbers (this target has already been achieved) and 86% self-sufficient in tomatoes. We also grow peppers, eggplant, greens, strawberries and flowers."
Vladimir Grakun explained that growing vegetables in the off-season on additional lighting is an expensive but profitable technology. "The preferences provided by the state help these enterprises to work profitably," he said. "According to the 2024 results, we do not have a single enterprise with negative profitability in vegetable production (it is 5-6%). According to preferences, electricity in such greenhouses is 23% cheaper and gas supply is 30% cheaper. The state goes for such support in order to provide the population with domestic products in the off-season."
Source: Belta