Belarus is among the top five global exporters of dairy products. Cheeses hold a leading position, being on par with European brands in terms of taste and quality.
Among the most well-known agricultural processors outside the country is the Verkhnedvinsk Butter and Cheese Factory, the parent enterprise of one of Vitebsk region's successful agro-industrial associations.
A distinctive feature of the agroholding is that its constituent enterprises are located within the boundaries of a single district. In essence, the factory, as before, works with all farms in the Verkhnedvinsk district, but has established the strongest relationships based on mutual interest with seven out of thirteen. It invests in their development to maximise the utilisation of resources and the potential of the raw material zone, reduce transportation costs for raw materials, and guarantee their high quality. This is important for lowering production costs and enhancing competitiveness.
At the same time, Svetlana Chivirova, First Deputy Director of JSC Verkhnedvinsk Butter and Cheese Factory, emphasises that the enterprise's development continues to outpace the capabilities of agricultural organisations. The raw material zone covers only half of the total demand. This is due to the increase in processing volumes: JSC and UP Verkhniy Lug, located on its territory, recently required a total of 280 tonnes of milk per day, and now require 300 tonnes. After the modernisation of production capacities is completed, an additional 30 tonnes will be needed.
— The imbalance persists, but it is temporary. Agriculture has great prospects, and the invested capital will yield returns in the next three to four years. On average, the profitability of milk sales in agricultural enterprises already reaches 30 percent, — notes Svetlana Chivirova. — Last year, we invested over 3 million rubles in the raw material zone, excluding advances, solely for development.
The main expenses are for the construction and reconstruction of livestock facilities. For example, UPP Uzhitsa-Agro, the largest milk supplier in the raw material zone, has been receiving assistance from the butter and cheese factory for several years. The head of the farm, Vadim Petukhov, explains:
— Near the village of Zhiguli, a facility for young cattle has been housed in a building after reconstruction; in Shatrovo, there are 200 heifers. Near the village of Sardyki, premises are being built to raise 120 heifer calves up to six months of age. The most costly item of expenditure – construction materials – has been covered by the plant. The total number of cattle we have is 2,800 head, of which over a thousand are dairy cows. Furthermore, 660 head are at the robotic dairy farm complex, which is currently the only one in the district. Modern technologies provide a significant bonus. However, perhaps the most important aspect is that the average salary across the farm exceeds 1,100 rubles. We would not have been able to achieve this without the support of the butter and cheese factory.
One of the most large-scale projects in the district, which commenced in 2022, is also noteworthy – the construction of a dairy farm complex near the village of Kokhanovichi. The construction was previously suspended, and now, by the directive of the district authorities, it has been decided to complete the initiated work. The facility has been transferred to the balance sheet of the butter and cheese factory, which possesses a high credit rating. However, there is another important argument explaining why this particular enterprise was entrusted with completing the project: approximately 25–30 percent of the cost is expected to be covered by its own funds.
In addition, the butter and cheese factory procures the necessary ingredients, feed additives with high protein content for complete and balanced animal nutrition, assists in updating the machinery and tractor fleet, and in the purchase of fuel, mineral fertilizers, protective agents, seeds, and so forth.
Deputy Director of the butter and cheese factory, Alexander Demko, emphasizes the importance of an intensive development path for the agro-industrial complex. The factory has established agricultural groups that regularly provide assistance to farms in both crop production and animal husbandry. Notably, the agroholding has only existed for a couple of years, but the factory workers have been helping farms for a long time.
The factory has created a mechanical unit, equipped with modern high-powered machinery for the prompt execution of agricultural work. An operational team of engineers is employed to service the milking and refrigeration equipment of agricultural enterprises. Significant responsibility is also placed on the herd reproduction group. Veterinarian Natalia Bykovskaya demonstrates modern equipment used for early diagnosis of various diseases and discusses the effectiveness of medicinal preparations. The specialists' schedules are meticulously planned down to the minute.
The shortage of rural doctors is evident, and this trend is unlikely to change. Zootechnicians-breeders at agricultural enterprises conduct selection and compile lists of animals requiring treatment. The remaining work is carried out by the brigade veterinarians.
Strangely enough, cheesemaking imposes the strictest requirements on milk. Only extra-class raw materials are used, with specialists considering fat content, protein quantity, dry matter, and many other indicators. This affects the taste, consistency, and aroma of the cheeses.
— Approximately 70 percent of our production consists of premium-quality cheeses. Modern equipment allows us to produce analogues of elite European cheeses, as well as semi-hard and soft varieties. In total, we offer about 50 types, and we also produce cottage cheese, four types of butter, rennet whey, and three types of dry demineralized whey, — emphasizes Svetlana Chivirova. — Consumer demand in domestic and foreign markets is growing rapidly, which presents the best opportunity for us. We produce products under several trademarks. The enterprise "Verkhny Lug," established on the basis of our factory five years ago, leads in Belarus in the production of mozzarella, and it is actively purchased by the country's largest pizzerias.
At the same time, export volumes remain high. In general, over 80 percent of our products are exported, and if we talk exclusively about whey, then it is as high as 90 percent. The main volumes are supplied to Russia. The Verkhnedvinsk factory is well-known in China. We have been cooperating with Serbia for over three years, and with other countries. Recently,
And they are not in a hurry to stop at what has been achieved. They plan to expand the processed cheese production workshop. They produce about 10 types, and after the planned modernisation, production will increase from 30 tonnes per year to 120 tonnes. The demand for processed cheese with spices is particularly high in the Russian market. The plant employees produce processed Maasdam and plan to produce portioned Parmesan in jars, which can easily be spread on a slice of bread.
Behind the high performance and ambitious plans lies another important argument – improving the well-being of the plant employees. Svetlana Chivirova emphasises that last year the employees' salaries increased by 16 percent. The trend of increase has been observed for several years. The collective agreement also provides for a number of pleasant financial bonuses, an attractive social package, which includes, among other things, free medical insurance for treatment and diagnostics in many healthcare institutions in the country.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by