Construction will begin in September, with completion expected in mid-2017. It is expected that the RUB18bn (US$510m) complex will house 480,000 head of pigs, producing 96,000 tonnes (t) of pork per year.
To date, this is the largest pig-breeding project, both existing and planned, in Russia and other CIS countries. Bio-tone said the facility would have a closed production cycle and the most modern and advanced equipment available.
“The company will bring together all parts of the production cycle, including a feed mill, eight modules for pig growing and fattening, as well as facilities for the primary processing of products. The pig houses will be designed for 480,000 animals. Thus, the nation’s largest high-tech pig-breeding complex will appear in the Samara region,” said a Bio-tone spokesperson.
The complex will be constructed with the support of RAB (Russian Agricultural Bank), a state-owned bank dedicated solely to advancing agricultural projects, and the government of Samara Region.
“Bank loans will be used for the construction of the facility and the purchasing of the most high-quality and modern equipment. The RAB provides a full range of financial products, which is necessary for the phased implementation of the project. Bio-tone will provide the construction of production facilities, while the government of the Samara region will support the project in terms of tax incentives, grants and guarantees,” said the spokesperson.
Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture for the region pointed out that the project will allow the area to achieve self-sufficiency in pork production, which is very important on the eve of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Nikolay Nekrasov, deputy minister of agriculture for the Samara region said: “The transition period of the Russian Federation joining the WTO is coming. In this regard, one of our main goals is to ensure the competitiveness of the agricultural sector through developing its capacity to produce. In the Samara region, we have created investment legislation that is one of the most attractive in Russia. Regional regulations guarantee equal conditions for all investors, contribute to the elimination of administrative barriers, and establish a favourable tax regime and incentives.”