E-Malt.com News article: 3189

Russia: "Baltika" opened malthouse in Tula. The most advanced malthouse in Russia and near abroad was opened on August 24, 2004, in Tula. It was constructed by Baltika Brewery, which had implemented the first similar project in Russia yet in 2000 in co-operation with French Group «Souffle», the press-service of the Union of Russian Brewers has recently posted.

Investments made by the brewery leader in barley processing led Russia to the international malt market and thereby animating the agricultural sector of Russia. The following persons took part in the solemn ceremony of the malthouse opening: Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation A.V. Gordeev, Governor of Tula region V.A. Starodubtsev, President of Baltika Brewery Ò.Ê. Balloev. Alexey Gordeev called brewing the most dynamically developing sector, leaving behind general economic development by about fifty years. Commenting on recent amendments to the law «On Advertisement», Gordeev said: «The law requires certain amendments for the branch “laying golden eggs” and being a powerful release mechanism of agricultural development not to be ruined». Currently, annual requirements of Russia’s breweries in malt are estimated at 1200 -1300 thous. tons, with domestic production not exceeding 650 thous. tons. Untill now, Russia has been still malt importer. Construction of the malthouse constitutes a new stage of malting development giving our country real chances to turn from importer to exporter of malt already in 2006. Considering that the annual turnover of the malt world market is estimated at Euro 5 bn., prospect of vast investments are opened before Russia’s agricultural enterprises and the whole sector. Besides, development of adjacent regions may provide additional working places and to raise tax payments to budgets of all levels.

The malthouse is an example of high-efficiency cooperation of federal, regional authorities and business in the Central region. The project became a logical continuation of investment activity of OJSC «Baltika Brewery» in Tula. «Baltika» is a large investor in economics of the whole country. The total investment volume of the Company is reaching to USD 1 bn.

The new maulthouse is capable to process 105 thousand tons of malt per annum. The pay-off period of the project is 7 years. The forecasting growth of tax allocations in budgets of different levels will make about 100 mln. roubles. Staff members of the maulthouse underwent training at Souffle plant in St. Petersburg, as well as acquired foreign experience of malt processing. Volume of investments in construction of the maulthouse in Tula amounted to USD 32 mln. Implementation of the project involved over 700 specialists of various professions. About 40 organizations from Tula became suppliers of materials and took part in construction. High quality malt received at the new malt-house fro elite sorts of seed barleys of sorts Scarlet, Sellar, Gonar, Anabel, bought abroad and grown in Russia may seriously compete with European and world producers. Currently enterprises capable to produce high-quality malting barley, will annually sell seed to Batika mault house to the amount of about USD 10 mln. Thus, by the time Russia joins World Trade Organization, Russia"s breweries may seriously compete European with companies. Opening of the maulthouse in Tula coincides with celebration of the 30th anniversary of Tula Brewery. In honor of this event the company produced beer «Arsenalnoe Tradititional» in bottles with colorful jubilee label.


06 September, 2004