Mikhail Mishustin did not support the introduction of preferential electricity tariffs for farmers

Igor Ananskikh, a representative of the A Just RUSSIA  - Patriots - For Truth faction, proposed introducing electricity benefits for farmers . He noted that now its cost for agricultural enterprises is several times higher than for industry, and as a result, this is reflected in the price of products. He offered to help farmers, especially in the north and northwest of the country.

Mishustin recalled that the state regulates electricity prices only for the population, all other consumers are on an equal footing. Electricity prices in the country depend on the cost of production and transportation in the region and do not depend on industry affiliation. The prime minister added that companies pay one price or another depending on the category they choose, the voltage level and the volume of consumption.

Mishustin also spoke about the current measures to support farmers, noting that in the period from 2020 to 2022, almost 1 trillion rubles were allocated from the federal budget. In the next three years, another 919 billion rubles will be directed to the industry. At the same time, the HEAD of the Cabinet noted that some measures that allow farmers to compensate for part of the electricity costs can be taken by regional authorities. Another relevant option in the current conditions is the transition to energy-saving technologies where possible. 

Independent expert of the agricultural market Alexander Korbut said that the main costs for electricity are borne by greenhouses and livestock complexes. “Sometimes these costs are quite significant, the tariffs for agricultural producers should be adequate. Considering that the state is very actively depriving agrarians of income due to EXPORT restrictions, the question arises that if you take away, then you have to give back,” he said.

Tamara Reshetnikova, General DIRECTOR of the Technologies of Growth company, said that preferential tariffs are, first of all, necessary for greenhouse complexes, since they consume electricity more than others. According to the expert, the introduction of benefits would solve many problems and help reduce selling prices. “In modern greenhouses where light culture is used, 50% to 60% is spent on electricity in the cost structure. In winter, it is generally impossible to grow vegetables without artificial supplementary lighting,” says Reshetnikova. 

Also, in her opinion, benefits are necessary for vegetable stores. “In my opinion, either the government should give preferential electricity tariffs for producers, or they should simply reimburse part of the electricity costs incurred by greenhouses,” the expert concluded.

Talks about reducing the cost of electricity for agricultural producers have been going on for a long time. So, in 2019, the National Union of MILK Producers (Soyuzmoloko) sent an appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture with a request to consider the possibility of developing a mechanism to reduce the cost of electricity for farmers. The Union noted that low voltage industries have one of the highest energy tariffs, and most agricultural enterprises use a low voltage level. “Such a tariff burden has an extremely negative impact on the investment attractiveness of the sector and makes a serious contribution to the growing cost of milk production,” Artem Belov, general director of Soyuzmolok, said at the time.