Krasnodar, Russia (February 9, 2024): Magnit, one of Russia’s leading retailers and an owner of food production facilities, became one of the first Russian companies to receive the Green Standard certificate confirming that its products have improved characteristics.

The certificate was awarded to Magnit’s greenhouse complex Zelenaya Liniya (“Green Line”), located in Krasnodar Region. Roskachestvo—the organization handling the certification—has confirmed that the tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce grown at the facility comply with the requirements of GOST (state standard) for “Products and food with improved characteristics. Greenhouse vegetables.” From now on, the packaging of such products will bear the Green Standard mark approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.

The cultivation of “green” produce requires compliance with higher standards. For example, it is prohibited to utilize genetic engineering and transgenic organisms to make the seeds for growing such vegetables. A biological method using entomophages and beneficial microorganisms serves as the primary protection for the plants, while application of chemical protective agents and mineral fertilizers is minimized. Mechanical aids (mosquito nets and glue traps) are used to control pests. The plants in the greenhouses are pollinated in a natural way by bumblebees. Strict requirements must also be met for such elements as plant irrigation and nutrition systems, climate management, greenhouse disinfection, industrial waste disposal, product packaging, and others. The facility has a dedicated quality control department that monitors all shipments.

“Green” tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce will be supplied across the Company’s entire geography. The estimated annual production volume of such vegetables is around 60 thousand tonnes.

Ilya Gamov, Magnit’s Director of Agribusiness:

“We see the growing demand for eco-friendly production and goods made from natural ingredients among our customers, which we strive to satisfy, being not only one of the leading retailers in the country, but also a major food producer. Magnit’s greenhouse complex is one of the first in Russia to receive a certificate confirming that the vegetables and fresh herbs it produces have improved characteristics in accordance with the new GOST. The requirements for ‘green’ vegetables are less stringent than for organic produce, which makes it possible to quickly scale the production if necessary. It is important to develop this area not only to improve the quality of food products in the country, but also to reduce the negative impact of production on the environment.”

Magnit is the only retailer in Russia with in-house food production facilities, including large greenhouse complexes in Krasnodar and Belgorod regions. In addition to producing vegetables and fresh herbs, the Company is also involved in mushroom cultivation. In 2023, Magnit launched the production of organic champignon mushrooms and became the first certified manufacturer of organic food among Russian retailers.

Magnit becomes certified producer of "green" vegetables