Minister sees Russian vineyards growing to 200,000 hectares in five years
ABRAU-DYURSO. Oct 16 (Interfax) - The area of vineyards in Russia will double to 170,000-200,000 hectares in five years, the Agriculture Ministry forecasts.
"We see potential, we see our future. In five years we will have an area [of vineyards] of about 170,000-200,000 hectares," Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev said a national winemakers conference. The area of vineyards in Russia is now about 90,000 hectares, he said.
"Of course, we must grow, we must have a presence on the wine market, and it's a good thing that there's Crimea, and here [in Krasnodar Territory] we understand traditional, historical winemaking," Tkachev said.
"I'm prepared for all challenges, to hear every proposal, to find support for the sector's development not only at the ministry, but also at the level of the government," Tkachev said.
He said the global area of vineyards is 7.5 million hectares, and France, Spain, Italy and China account for half of this area.
China will have "1.5 million hectares, I assure you," Tkachev said. "They actively consume wine from both Europe and from the New World," he said.