VTB named the leading regions in granting preferential loans in the agro-industrial complex

VTB's loan portfolio in the field of medium and small businesses in the agro-industrial sector reached 499 billion rubles by the end of 2024. It has increased by 10% over the year, Denis Bortnikov, VTB's Deputy President and Chairman of the Management Board, said during the Business Day, timed to coincide with the launch of the Business Battle project in Stavropol.

He specified that 40% of the portfolio are loans issued under the preferential program of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.

The top regions where the agro-industrial complex support program is being implemented include Lipetsk, Pskov, Voronezh, Novosibirsk Regions and Stavropol Territory. These five regions account for half of the bank's loan portfolio under the program.

According to Bortnikov, farmers apply for financing on preferential terms to implement investment projects 3.6 times more often than to replenish working capital.

According to the results of last year, the volume of disbursements in the agro-industrial complex reached 141 billion rubles. Of these, 108 billion rubles are for projects for the production and processing of crop and livestock products, 26 billion rubles for the processing and production of meat and dairy cattle products, and 7 billion rubles for small businesses.

"Investment projects in the agro-industrial sector have a longer payback period than in other sectors of the economy, and business efficiency depends on many factors, including natural ones. Therefore, the availability of financing on preferential terms is important for agricultural sector enterprises," said the deputy head of the bank.

He added that for the bank, the support of agricultural enterprises is one of the key priorities in its work. This, in particular, concerns the provision of farmers with preferential loans for sowing. "Revolving loans for sowing this year are planned at the level of 2024. The bank occupies more than 15% of the market for preferential financing of farmers and will continue to participate in preferential programs of the Government of the Russian Federation, as well as providing financing under its own programs," said Bortnikov.