Krasnodar, Russia (February 2, 2023): Magnit, the largest Russian retailer in terms of the number of stores, which owns its own agribusiness enterprises, received its first organic certification. Packages of mushrooms grown at Magnit's mushroom complex will now bear the national organic label, confirming the Company’s high standards of production.

The certificate of compliance was issued by a certification body subordinate to Roskachestvo. LLC "TK "Zelenaya Liniya" (Magnit's enterprise that received the certificate) was included in the Unified State Register of Organic Producers of the Ministry of Agriculture the Russian Federation.

The certificate confirms that Magnit grows champignons according to all the rules of organic production (e.g., without the use of genetically modified organisms, raw materials, plant protection agents, soil improvers). During the certification process, the certification authority checked all aspects of mushroom production, storage, and transport: incoming inspection of raw materials, technical processes used at the compost yard, mushroom growing rooms, packing department, warehouse, features of product packaging, etc., right down to the detergents used by the employees.

Magnit will now be able to display the official sign of Russian organic products — a white leaf on a green background with the inscription "Organic" in Cyrillic and Latin — on the packaging of its own champignons, which are sold in Magnit stores under the My Price and Magnit Fresh brands. Next to the graphic sign, there will be placed a barcode that will provide information about the manufacturer and the types of products it makes. In addition, the term "Organic product" will be indicated on the packaging.

According to Roskachestvo, Magnit has become the first retail chain in Russia to have its own organic production.

Ilya Gamov, Magnit’s Director of Agribusiness:

"Today's customer is interested in buying natural products, and demand for them is growing steadily year on year. By going through certification, we have confirmed that our champignons are of the highest quality, and we can now label our products as organic. Based on the sales of organic champignons in our chain, we may decide to also obtain certification for other products— mushrooms and vegetables grown at our sites."

Magnit is the only retailer in the country that has its own food production facilities, including a large mushroom complex growing cultivated champignons. In December, Magnit launched production of oyster, velvet pioppini, and shiitake mushroom production at its existing complex.

Magnit becomes first retailer in Russia with certified organic production