Tolochna cannery increased the sale of fresh berries

By the end of the season, gardeners of the Tolochin Cannery harvested 322 tons of black and red currants, gooseberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Compared to last year, the figure remains at approximately the same level, but the sale of berries in fresh form has increased significantly and now accounts for 56% of the total volume.

According to Viktor Bulygin, head of the "Industrial Horticulture" department of the enterprise, if in 2015 only 3.5 tons of red currants on the stem were sold to Moscow, then this year – more than 80 tons. The sale of gooseberries has almost doubled. The demand was so good that customers lined up. The majority of the vitamin-rich produce was supplied to Russia.

Over 200 people worked in the garden daily, collecting 6-7 tons depending on weather conditions. The main burden of harvesting fell on the gardeners themselves and student teams from Vitebsk and Orsha. They were assisted by 26 local residents who decided to earn extra money under contract agreements. During the peak season, another 40-50 people were sent to help by decision of the Tolochin District Executive Committee from enterprises and organizations of the region.

On Apple Spas, gardeners began harvesting late summer variety "Kovalenkovskoye". A little later, it will be the turn of the last berry – black chokeberry, which will be harvested by combine. In the garden of the Tolochin Cannery, fruit crops occupy 315 hectares, and berries – 206 hectares.

Sergey Lyashuk, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye Vesti".