A Modern Mini-Factory for Quick Freezing Berries Opens in Rivne Region
A new mini-factory for quick freezing berries has started operations in the village of Ozhyany, located in the Rivne region. Its opening was made possible through the Ukrainian-Swiss project Organic Trade for Development (OT4D). The facility is situated on the site of a former fruit canning plant that had long been abandoned.
This is reported by AgroReview
New Opportunities for the Community and Regional Development
According to the Rivne Regional Military Administration, the factory will be able to process up to 140 tons of berry products annually, grown in accordance with high environmental standards. This will not only promote the development of organic production but also provide the local community with additional tax revenues and the creation of 20 new jobs.
“In a year, the factory will be able to process 140 tons of products grown in compliance with high environmental standards. For the community, this means additional taxes and 20 new jobs. The establishment of such a high-tech enterprise is an example of successful collaboration between the community, business, and international partners, demonstrating the possibilities for sustainable development in our region,” said Oleksandr Koval, head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration.
In the future, there are plans to increase production capacity to over 1000 tons of berries per year. To achieve this goal, 15 hectares of berry fields have already been planted, where strawberries, raspberries, and currants are grown.
Partnership Between Ukraine and Switzerland for the Development of the Organic Sector
The grand opening of the workshop was attended by Felix Baumann, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine. He emphasized that Switzerland has been supporting the development of organic production in Ukraine for over two decades. According to the diplomat, it is important to consider the characteristics and needs of each region of the country for effective assistance.
It is worth noting that this mini-factory is the first Swiss public-private partnership project in Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The launch of the enterprise signifies not only the implementation of new technologies but also contributes to job creation, community development, increased added value directly at the production site, and the training of qualified personnel for the industry.