Russian stores will have a separate place for organic foods

In near future Russian retail chains may be obliged to allocate separate shelves for organic products (it is prohibited to use chemicals in their production). This issue is currently under discussion in the Ministry of Agriculture. The department is engaged in it as part of its work on a strategy for production development of these products in Russian Federation until 2030. "Izvestia" cites its source from within retail and Oleg Mironenko, the head of National Organic Union.

The latter said that the Union has developed a draft structure for such a strategy and sent it to the ministry. The organization believes that firstly it is necessary to assess the state of the industry, its development goals and possible scenarios. In addition, the organization considers it necessary to outline the forecasts and activities that should be carried out. According to Mironenko, it will be possible to form programmes of state support for manufacturers on the basis of this strategy. The expert stressed that the ministry is currently considering proposals - within the framework of this task the appearance of a separate shelf for organic produce may be logical.

As noted, the department has already asked retail chains to provide their opinion on this issue.

Mironenko has also named the key factors for increasing the production volume of organic products in Russia. "An integrated approach and state financial support for manufacturers should increase the production of organic produce in the Russian Federation, then an additional market channel within the store may become relevant," he said.

In addition, the representative of the Union added that such a decision would encourage customers to purchase organic products. The expert clarified that some Russian chains are already gradually beginning to allocate special shelves for such products in their stores.

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