Russian firm sets sights on turkey meat leadership

Russian company Eurodon, the main production assets of which are located in the Rostov Oblast region in central Russia, will become the largest producer of turkey meat in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world by 2016, according to Eurodon CEO Vadim Vaneev.

Vaneev said that, during its eight years of existence, the company has invested about RUB18bn (US$540m) in its facilities, resulting in production capacity for turkey meat now amounting to 40,000 tonnes (t) per year.

“This year we are launching a project to expand our existing production facilities. And in the next two years we will bring capacity up to 67,000t of live weight per year,” said Vaneev. During this period investment in the project will amount to almost RUB6.4bn (US$192m).

In addition, by 2015, the company plans to start construction on another industrial complex designed to grow and process turkey, with a total capacity of about 60,000t of meat and a planned investment of RUB17.9bn (US$537m).

“By commissioning these two projects in 2015, we will be able to produce around 130,000 tonnes of meat in total. With this figure we will be number one in Europe and the fourth company in the world in terms of turkey production,” said Vaneev.

All the company’s projects receive state support. According to vice-governor of the Rostov Oblast region Sergey Gorban, the regional authorities have provided and will provide maximum assistance towards Eurodon’s projects. He noted that, in 2012, agricultural activities in the region had been allocated RUB8.8bn (US$264m).