The Mayor of Kazan has discussed support measures with representatives of the food industry and retail chains

Today, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin held a meeting with representatives of large food industry enterprises and retail chains at the Saidash Cultural Center within the work of the anti-crisis headquarters. The current challenges that manufacturers and retailers face, as well as possible support measures were discussed at the meeting.

Exotic fruits and bio-vitamins - companies are looking for alternative products

“Not the first time we work in conditions of a high degree of uncertainty, we have experienced a lockdown together. It is necessary to specifically identify the problems, they will be shared with the republican headquarters”, - Ilsur Metshin said in his speech.

The First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the republic of Tatarstan Nail Salakhov, noted that a dialogue has been established between Tatarstan manufacturers and Tatarstan Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He said that with the support of Tatarstan, the Republican Agro-Industrial Center for Investment and Innovation has purchased large volumes of essential goods.

The Bakery and Confectionery Plant of Kazan is one of such socially significant enterprises. Director General Bulat Kutdusov noted that today the plant continues to operate as usual. “We will definitely be able to provide Kazan residents with bread, we have all the main raw materials, there are no interruptions in supplies”, - he emphasized. There can be challenges in supply of exotic products that are used as fillings, for example, kiwi. “Alternatively, we can use cherries and apples, which are always available”, - B.Kutdusov noted.

The Kazan Fat Plant is also provided with the main products. However, according to the Director General of the company Dmitry Maksimov, there might be difficulties with sunflower seeds. “Last year the price of sunflower seeds increased, this year there was also an increase, we are working on this issue with our farms, and also discussing support measures with the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan”, - D.Maksimov said.

The currency exchange rate affected the production of the Yaratel poultry farm, a branch of the Ak Bars Poultry Complex. Dmitry Chepursky, director of the poultry farm, said that the company purchased bio-vitamins from Europe.

Dmitry Yurchenko, Managing Director of the Kazan Dairy Plant, reported about the situation in the company. According to him, the plant does not plan to decline in production, all essential products will be provided to stores.

“We do not see a shortage and continue to provide the city with products”

Retailers told about the situation in chain stores. According to them, the warehouses are ensured with all the essential goods. Products are delivered to stores every day, the demand for bulk products, including sugar, is gradually decreasing. “Uninterrupted supplies of sugar to the distribution center are underway, every day 20 tons of sugar are shipped by 2-3 trucks. But the issue is that customers buy 450 tons of sugar in an hour,”- said Timur Baimullin, head of the Department for work with government agencies of the Volga macro-region X5 Retail Group.

Sergey Bodunov, Director of the branch network of ZAO Tander, said that the logistics centers have enough stock of products for 30 days, there are no problems with deliveries. There are all the necessary goods in stores, and a fixed price is set for 30 socially significant items.

“The employees in their areas of responsibilities are doing everything possible to maintain the smooth operation of enterprises, to provide the city with the necessary goods,” -Ilsur Metshin summed up. He noted that such meetings with business representatives will become regular. “We will hold these meetings regularly. Tatarstan and Kazan have a safety margin – a large stock of agricultural products in many items”, - the Mayor emphasized.