Astrakhan Agri-Enterprise Expands Potato Storage to 38,000 Tons, Boosts Irrigation and Processing
Governor Igor Babushkin recently inspected a leading agricultural enterprise in the Yenotayevsky District of Astrakhan Oblast, where a major investment project is underway to expand storage infrastructure. This year, construction began on three new potato storage facilities, increasing the total number from eight to eleven and raising combined storage capacity to 38,000 tons. According to CEO Alexey Karnaukhov, the expansion will reduce harvest risks and allow the company to sell produce during more profitable price periods later in the season. At the same time, the enterprise is actively developing land reclamation, adding 100 hectares of irrigated land this season, bringing the total to 2,500 hectares—over 1,000 of which are dedicated to potatoes. Last year’s results demonstrated the effectiveness of this strategy: despite modest acreage expansion, the company harvested 63,400 tons of potatoes and 3,700 tons of grains, focusing on per-plant productivity rather than extensive growth.
The enterprise also emphasizes deep processing and strict varietal selection, growing BP808 and Newton for chip production, Fontane for french fries, and table varieties such as Baltic Rose, Arizona, Alouette, and Queen Anna, with new hybrids already being tested. Products are supplied to federal retail chains across Astrakhan and other Russian regions, supported by 160 permanent employees and 30 seasonal workers. The expansion has been made possible through over 167 million rubles in government subsidies. Additionally, the company is investing in future talent by launching a specialized agricultural class in partnership with the Yenotayevsky branch of AGASU College. Governor Babushkin praised the initiative for creating rural jobs and strengthening local economies, emphasizing its strategic importance for food security in southern Russia.
