A large portion (about 70%) of components used in the construction of modern greenhouses (such as the load bearing steel frame, aluminium extrusions for the glazing and the water collection chutes, tables for seedlings, sprinklers and water preparation plants) are imported into Russia from Europe (the Netherlands, Germany, France).

The high share of imports results primarily from the high competence of Dutch integrator companies that offer greenhouse construction and operation services (the Netherlands is a global leader in greenhouse technologies) and the developed and highly advanced agronomic support for projects that Dutch firms offer. In addition, the high demand for imported aluminium greenhouse components is propped up by the underdeveloped domestic market for greenhouse design and manufacture (mechanical processing of extrusions).

Idea: In partnership with Dutch companies (design), increase the competence of domestic integrator companies and extrusion plants by localising the production of aluminium greenhouse components. This would make it possible to boost the consumption of aluminium alloy products (with a high added value), reduce imports and the cost of greenhouses, as well as lead times.

Benefits of use: The area of industrial grade greenhouses per capital in square metres: Spain: 11.30, the Netherlands: 5.88, Turkey: 4.13, Japan: 3.77; Poland: 1.75; Russia: 0.16.

Market volume: The current total floor area of greenhouses in Russia is 2,300 hectares.
Construction of new greenhouses: 150 hectares (4,500 tonnes of aluminium) in 2016, 240 hectares (7,000 tonnes) are expected to be built in 2020.

Plans to expand the area of industrial grade greenhouses announced by major agricultural holdings in 2017–2020: over 1,000 hectares.

Project goals:

1. Import substitution for aluminium alloy greenhouse components.

2. Expanding the uses of aluminium components in greenhouses.

3. Boosting the greenhouse construction rate from 150 hectares per year in 2016 to 240 hectares per year by 2020
   

The expected benefits from implementation of the project: Reducing the cost of 1 hectare of greenhouses by 10–20% by increasing the share of localisation in greenhouse complexes from 30% to 70%. Increasing domestic aluminium consumption through the construction of greenhouses to 6,000 tonnes per year.

Using aluminium alloy components in greenhouses:components that were traditionally made from aluminium (import substitution) – the roof frame, elements of walls and partitions, seedling tables (shelves and the frame), the gate and door frames, the boiler smoke stacks. Components and equipment in which aluminium alloys can be used in the future (market development) – aluminium extrusion roofing elements, heat insulated windowing systems, heat insulated facade systems, fencing solutions, heat insulated and non-heat insulated door systems; transparent entrance roofs, fences for entrance areas, aluminium wires, stair railings, external lighting masts, sandwich panels for refrigeration systems, water tanks, external GPU radiators, collectors and pumps for CO2 feeding systems, water removal chutes, lamps, heating pipes (above ground systems), harvest gathering trolleys.

Project partners Russian greenhouse integrators (designer/general contractor). Aluminium component manufacturers (extrusion production companies, special-purpose manufacturing facilities).

Quotes:
'In Russia, measures are being put in place to offer reduced interest rate loans and tax relief to agricultural companies. Rosselkhozbank is the main creditor of agricultural companies. Currently, because of the sanctions and counter-sanctions, Russian agriculture has been given an added impetus for development as part of the import substitution programme,' says President of the MFX Group Igor Volkov.

'It will be a very long time before we hit the ceiling,' believes Denis Paspekov, Deputy Head of the Department for Crop Production, Mechanisation, Chemicals and Plant Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture. 'To meet our demand for closed soil vegetables by 2020, we will need to launch another 2,000 hectares of greenhouses, and production must go up by another 1 mln tonnes to reach 1.7–1.8 mln tonnes per year.'

In 2017, Ecoculture is set to continue implementing two new projects, in which the company is investing a total of RUB 15 bln. 'We're building 55 hectares of greenhouses —this is the first stage of our new greenhouse complex called Black Earth Vegetables in the Lipetsk Region. The second stage will see the complex expanded to 85 hectares,' says the company's Chair of the Board Alexander Rudakov. 'Once completed, it will be the largest greenhouse complex in Europe, as well as the most automated.' Another greenhouse complex – Solnechny Dar (Sun Gift) – will be built in the Stavropol Territory, with a floor area of 57 hectares. The holding has already secured financing and construction is currently in full swing, the top manager says. Commissioning is scheduled for 2018–2019.

Last December, at the Russian Greenhouse Complexes forum, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Evgeny Gromyko, said that the state would continue supporting the greenhouse sector at the level specified in the programme – RUB 3–3.5 bln per year. As of late 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture commission reviewed 31 projects aimed at promoting vegetable production, requesting RUB 40 bln in loans, and RUB 5.5 bln in CAPEX compensation.

Read also: