STATE AND PROSPECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF HOP GROWING IN THE CHUVASH REPUBLIC

The brewing industry of the Russian Federation at the present stage is characterized by a high level of raw material dependence on supplies of raw materials, in particular hops, from foreign countries. The Chuvash Republic is a region that not only produces the largest volume of hops in the country, but also a territory where conditions are formed for the intensification of this important industry. Based on the study of the period of formation and development of the hop-growing industry in the region, the authors identified the reasons for the decline in hop production, most of which are directly related to the activities of brewing industry enterprises. The breakdown of production and economic ties between agricultural producers and processors has become the main reason for the crisis in the hop-growing industry of the Russian Federation. The state of the current potential for the development of hop growing in the Chuvash Republic is assessed by experts as quite stable. The region has preserved scientific and educational competencies that are implemented both in the field of selection and seed production, and in engineering and technological support; a machine-building cluster is being formed to localize the production of machines, units and equipment for hop growing. Currently, the first large investment project in hop growing in the country is being implemented in the Chuvash Republic, initiated by the Baltika brewing company. The authors believe that this investment model is key to the development of hop growing in the country, since along with the production of hops, related industries are developing, as well as new points of generation of production capacities for hop processing are being formed. The most important direction for realizing the potential for the development of hop growing is state support for the development of the industry, which covers all production and technological processes of hop cultivation and processing. Intensification of hop growing in the region is the most important task of the socio-economic development of the Chuvash Republic, as well as ensuring technological sovereignty in this industry.