OREANDA-NEWS. July 04, 2013. Chairman of the Cherkizovo Group Board of Directors Igor Babaev and Governor of Tambov Region Oleg Betin toured the Pervomaysky District facility, where a unique turkey breeding and processing complex is under construction.

The production facility is to be located on a 5000 hectare plot, along with two finishing facilities currently being built as well. Plans are in place to build nine finishing facilities, four rearing facilities, an incubation facility, feed mill, and slaughtering facility, creating more than 500 jobs in total.

The agreement between Cherkizovo Group and the Spanish company Grupo Fuertes to build an integrated turkey breeding and processing complex was signed in May 2012, with investment in the project reaching six billion rubles. The construction is being financed by own funds of Cherkizovo Group and Grupo Fuertes along with bank loans obtained.

 Production startup is planned in 2015, and by 2016 the production capacity will reach 40,000 tons per year, a number that may double at some point in the future.

 “The efforts made by the regional administration under supervision of Oleg Betin to create a favorable climate for investment is without question top notch,” noted Chairman of the Cherkizovo Group Board of Directors Igor Babaev. “The situation is set up perfectly for a successful partnership between government and private interests. Given that Cherkizovo Group has been developing the agricultural industry in the region since 2005, and Oleg Betin understands the importance of ensuring food safety in Russia, we made the decision to locate our turkey breeding and processing facilities here in Tambov Region. Successful implementation of the Tambov Turkey project will allow Cherkizovo Group to take the lead in the dynamically growing Russian turkey market and give an opportunity for Tambov Region to become a number one turkey producer in the Central Federal District.”

Tambov Region Governor Oleg Betin in turn stated that having a major investor such as Cherkizovo Group is incredibly important for the region. “Developing the agroindustrial complex plays a foundational role in the region’s economic strategy and in implementing social plans. We are therefore striving to do everything we possibly can to strengthen the favourable investment climate here in Tambov Region. We work individually with each investor to collaborate and resolve mutual issues, understanding the particular specifics of partners’ business,” emphasized the head of the region. “For example, as part of implementation of the Tambov Turkey project we took on the responsibility of creating the infrastructure necessary for rapid construction and optimal performance of the complex.”

 In addition to the Tambov Turkey project Cherkizovo Group is successfully working in the gilts and boars breeding industry. The region is home to two modern pork complexes with a capacity of more than 24,000 tons of live weight per year.

 Cherkizovo Group is one of the largest investors in Tambov Region, during the 6 years of operations in the region the company has paid over 55 million rubles in taxes and created more than 450 jobs.