The Sakhalin Region has become the leader in the production of greenhouse vegetables per capita in Russia. The island region produces about 20 kilograms of crops per person, which was made possible by the support of business from the authorities. For several years now, the Teplichny state farm has remained the flagship among manufacturers, which offers its products through its own retail network. This was recently announced by the Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko.
- Strong own agricultural production ensures the strengthening of the food independence of the islands, a stable supply of high-quality products to the residents in the required volume, – stressed the head of the island region. – “Teplichny” is one of our flagship farms. It is necessary that fresh high-quality vegetables be available to residents not only of the regional center, but also of all districts, including the most remote ones. The most important priority is the preservation of people’s health, and high-quality and nutritious food is a significant component of this task.
Today the network of Teplichnoy brand stores is represented by 10 retail outlets in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In other districts in the south of Sakhalin, an off-site sale of vegetables has been organized, and truck shops are being sent to villages. All shops of the state farm are included in the economy format network – due to the minimum mark-up, prices here are lower than the average retail ones. The outlet that works longer than all the others is located on Chekhov Street in the regional center. For 20 years now, buyers from all over the city have been coming here. Recently, the premises were overhauled and a self-service system was introduced there, which helped to increase the sales of vegetables by one and a half times.
“I really like the products,” said pensioner Elena Bubnova. – Cucumbers for 150 rubles, tomatoes for 200 rubles. Very tasty! Today I bought green tomatoes for 30 rubles. They will ripen in my house. I also take radishes, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, various greens. I remember the times when vegetables were worth their weight in gold, and in winter one could only dream of Sakhalin vitamins.
Currently, outlets of the economy format sell about a quarter of food supplies to the inhabitants of the island region. Prices for essential goods for them have been reduced by 15%, and the network is constantly developing – now there are 715 such stores in the region. According to the Minister of Agriculture and Trade of the Sakhalin Region Inna Pavlenko, the government and island enterprises are making every effort to ensure high demand among consumers. That is why on the islands, these products are always fresh, of high quality and are present on store shelves all year round. In addition, local authorities create all the necessary conditions for a retail network and direct sales channels.
In the Sakhalin Region, over three years, the government, together with local producers, managed to triple the cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses. This allowed the island region to become a leader in the Far East: in the Far East, on average, there are less than three kilograms of vegetables per inhabitant, and on the islands – more than 20. Today, this figure in Russia averages about eight kilograms.