Due to the severe economic problems caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war, the largest Ukrainian mushroom company finally has ceased operations. Located in the town of Kaniv in the country’s Cherkasy region, the mushroom farm, compost- and canning plant closed its doors at the beginning of July 2023.
End of a successful journey
The Veres brand portfolio includes more than 100 products in 15 categories. According to official data from AC Nielsen Ukraine, Veres was ranked among the top three Ukrainian producers of canned vegetables in 2020. The mushroom sector of the company, which was launched in 2000, encompassed the entire vertical of mushroom production. In addition to mushroom production, a significant amount of Phase II compost production was carried out on the 22-hectare site. Beside the fresh sales, the mushrooms were processed in their own canning plant. Furthermore their factory’s equipment was supplied by well-known Western mushroom companies. Including machines from Christiaens Group, Alpi and IT systems from Fancom.
The plant produced 980 tonnes of Phase II compost weekly in 14 tunnels, each with a 70-tonne capacity. Monthly production averaged 3,500-4,000 tonnes, with 65% sold internationally, 35% used in their mushroom cultivation. Additionally the peat processing plant produced 7-800 m3 of casing soil per month for mushroom growers.
The Ukrainian mushrooms were produced in 36 growing houses, each with a growing area of 700 m2. This farm altogether produced more than 300 tonnes of mushrooms per month, 40% of the mushrooms were canned and 60% were sold fresh.
Will there be a new start?
Until recently, about 200 people worked at the plant and are now looking for work. According to the Ukrainian mushroom industry news website Umdis, production at the plant has finally stopped, but the machinery has been preserved. The fate of the huge production company still unknown. The company recently tried to lease its assets and resume production, but apparently failed.
