During a working trip to the Samara Region, Russian Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut toured one of EFKO's major production facilities, the Tolyatti Food Plant.

The Minister was shown all phases of production, from seed acceptance to the dispatch of bottled sunflower oil, and was informed about the technological solutions implemented at the facility.

"Currently, the plant ranks among the top processing facilities in Russia and is set to process 1 million tons of raw materials annually shortly. This will guarantee consistent export volumes," Vladislav Romantsev, Director for Strategic Development at EFKO, stated. "By 2026, we aim to finish building the second phase of production and achieve processing levels of 2 million tons per year. Our primary focus is on foreign markets, where EFKO products have traditionally held strong positions.

Another of our strategic objectives in the region is the development of the soybean sector. A substantial amount of water resources, along with an expanding network of irrigation systems, can benefit soybean farmers. The Volga Federal District has great potential in this matter.

Together with Samara State University and the Samara Scientific Center, we are also conducting research into soybean breeding. The new Aquarius variety is a remarkable example of combining high yield with nutritional value. It already exceeds popular foreign analogues both in terms of protein and resistance to stress factors.

The plans involve developing a database containing information on soybean genotypes and phenotypes tailored for the 7th approval region, along with utilizing accelerated production technology for hybrids, as well as registration of patents and training of qualified staff."

The Samara region is progressively turning into an agricultural one. Plant cultivation, agrarian technologies, seed production, and breeding are advancing rapidly," the minister noted. "This enables us to boost the harvest volume of grain, oilseed, and industrial crops nearly every year. At present, our entire oil processing group holds the top position for exports from the Russian Federation. Thus, naturally, the plant, which will process 2 million tons of oilseeds each year as part of its development, presents a great opportunity to boost the export of agricultural products from the Samara region."

Last year, the Samara Region harvested a record sunflower crop – 1.4 million tons. This year, with favorable weather conditions, the plan is to surpass this figure.

The development of oilseed processing, the use of advanced technologies, and an emphasis on export are priorities for both the region and EFKO. The company is actively investing in oil refining and expanding capacities in Tolyatti, supporting the sustainable growth of Russia's agro-industrial sector.