A unique production facility for fried peas operates near Novopolotsk

A project to create a unique production facility has been implemented in the village of Borovukha near Novopolotsk. The investment amounted to about 2 million euros. The investor was a Russian company that established JV "SnacksCo" in Belarus. The first batch of new products has already entered the region's retail network.

The first part of the investment agreement was fulfilled by December 20, as required by the deadlines. Subsequently, infrastructure and volumes will be scaled up. JV "SnacksCo" is ready to produce up to 1,200 tons of products per year.

– Our product has only one drawback: once you open the packet, you can't stop until you've eaten its entire contents, – intrigued the director of the enterprise, Yuri Mikitsky, right off the bat.

I didn't believe him, but after tasting it, I was convinced that it was exactly so. Among the undisputed advantages are the high content of protein, fiber, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, let's go through it step by step.

– Why did investors from St. Petersburg choose Belarus, and what attracted them to Borovukha?

– The country's investment climate proved attractive. Decrees of the Head of State No. 6-10 provide an unprecedented number of benefits and preferences for establishing production facilities in free economic zones, the High-Tech Park, and in small towns and rural areas. Factors such as close geographical proximity, availability of local raw materials, and especially the high concentration of skilled labor in this region also played a role. There is a polytechnic college, a university, and giants of Belarusian industry here, and overall, the educational level of the population is high. On the territory of the former military town in the village of Borovukha, the headquarters building with a sports hall was repurposed for food production.

– What does it consist of?

– A full cycle of raw material processing into the final product – roasted peas in a variety of flavors. It should be noted that for Belarusian,and for the Russian consumer, it is a traditional food. The investors' idea was to take classic, time-tested recipes and adapt them to the technological capabilities of modern equipment.

– Were you pioneers in this field?

– Yes, on an industrial scale in the post-Soviet space and Europe, no one produces this type of snack product. The closest analogues are in Turkey and East Asia.

The line installed at the enterprise is unique and highly automated, with 6 people working in one shift. The equipment purchased in Turkey and European countries was adapted to the domestic product in an extremely short time, using non-standard technologies.

– And what is your secret?

– The success of any project is determined by well-thought-out approaches. The Russian side paid close attention to every nuance of the process. Currently, we produce seven types of products. But during the selection of options, we tested over 200 technological solutions and 90 flavors.

I would like to emphasize that initially, the focus was solely on natural ingredients. We cooperate with one of the world's leading manufacturers of natural flavorings. Our peas do not contain artificial colors, preservatives, flavorings, or genetically modified substances, which is confirmed by monthly test reports.

– How will the production develop?

– The first part of the investment agreement was completed by December 20, as required by the deadlines. Next, we plan to organize work in three shifts, expand the infrastructure, and build warehouse facilities. We are ready to produce up to 1,200 tons of products per year. The staff is currently being formed and should expand to 46 people. We will invite food industry technologists, specialists with education in electrical engineering and gas supply. But all these prospects directly depend on successful sales. The estimated payback period for the project is 2.5 years.

We also plan to develop foreign sales markets, primarily Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. We have passed certification