What Russian dairy factories said about Chr Hansen's departure from Russia
Source: The DairyNews
Last week, almost immediately after the joint meeting of Chr Hansen and Novozymes (now Novonesis), it became known that the largest supplier of dairy ingredients in Russia is leaving the country and will stop supplies within 12 months.
Analysts estimate that the company holds about 45% of the market for dairy product cultures in Russia.
Here are the comments from market representatives:
"Currently, two investment projects are being implemented in Russia to create such production facilities. These are biofactories in the Yaroslavl and Moscow regions, which are planned to be completed in 2025," clarified the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
Sergey Bachin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aggranta Group, in a comment to The DairyNews, expressed confidence that the Ministry of Agriculture has the situation under control and will use various market support tools if necessary. "We also anticipated such a development of events, and already in 2022, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an agreement was signed to create a high-tech enterprise for the production of bacterial starters and concentrates for the food industry in the city of Uglich, Yaroslavl region," the businessman reported.
Sergey Bachin is convinced that the situation of uncertainty will last only a few months, so there is no reason for panic. "It is advisable for factories to stock up on starters in advance to operate steadily during this period, and later we will be able to supply the market with our own starters," he assured.
"Hansen has not yet left, it will fulfill contracts until the end of the year," reminds the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Elansky and Semikarakorsky cheese-making plants, Andrey Dakhnovich. According to him, there are a sufficient number of companies on the market producing similar products, so Chr. Hansen's departure does not pose a danger to the market. "But if his current competitors follow his example, then there will be upheavals. Without European starters, milk processing will be set back significantly for a considerable period," warns the expert.
Some market participants noted that Chr Hansen primarily removes innovations and experienced specialists from Russia.
However, not all market participants are optimistic about the future in connection with the departure of the Danish company. The head of one of the dairy plants, who spoke to The DairyNews on condition of anonymity, said: "In theory, of course, Chr. Hansen's products could be replaced by Danisco. But still, there is no ready-made spare solution to the problem."
In a comment to the media, the CEO of Molvest (brand "Vkusnoteevo"), Anatoly Losev, emphasized that after Chr. Hansen's departure, it will be necessary to urgently negotiate with new suppliers. "It is unclear whether they will be ready to meet the demand. And not all starters can be replaced. Therefore, it may be necessary to reduce the assortment of products being produced," the expert is sure."
Here are the comments from market representatives:
"Currently, two investment projects are being implemented in Russia to create such production facilities. These are biofactories in the Yaroslavl and Moscow regions, which are planned to be completed in 2025," clarified the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
Sergey Bachin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aggranta Group, in a comment to The DairyNews, expressed confidence that the Ministry of Agriculture has the situation under control and will use various market support tools if necessary. "We also anticipated such a development of events, and already in 2022, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an agreement was signed to create a high-tech enterprise for the production of bacterial starters and concentrates for the food industry in the city of Uglich, Yaroslavl region," the businessman reported.
Sergey Bachin is convinced that the situation of uncertainty will last only a few months, so there is no reason for panic. "It is advisable for factories to stock up on starters in advance to operate steadily during this period, and later we will be able to supply the market with our own starters," he assured.
"Hansen has not yet left, it will fulfill contracts until the end of the year," reminds the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Elansky and Semikarakorsky cheese-making plants, Andrey Dakhnovich. According to him, there are a sufficient number of companies on the market producing similar products, so Chr. Hansen's departure does not pose a danger to the market. "But if his current competitors follow his example, then there will be upheavals. Without European starters, milk processing will be set back significantly for a considerable period," warns the expert.
Some market participants noted that Chr Hansen primarily removes innovations and experienced specialists from Russia.
However, not all market participants are optimistic about the future in connection with the departure of the Danish company. The head of one of the dairy plants, who spoke to The DairyNews on condition of anonymity, said: "In theory, of course, Chr. Hansen's products could be replaced by Danisco. But still, there is no ready-made spare solution to the problem."
In a comment to the media, the CEO of Molvest (brand "Vkusnoteevo"), Anatoly Losev, emphasized that after Chr. Hansen's departure, it will be necessary to urgently negotiate with new suppliers. "It is unclear whether they will be ready to meet the demand. And not all starters can be replaced. Therefore, it may be necessary to reduce the assortment of products being produced," the expert is sure."
