Where Russia’s tastiest harvests come from: August at the "Journey Across Russia" exposition
At the exposition "Journey Across Russia" at the National Centre RUSSIA, visitors can discover the regions of our country where rich harvests are gathered in August — from apple orchards in the North Caucasus Federal District to wheat fields in the Central Federal District.
The North Caucasus is one of Russia’s breadbaskets and a leader in national agricultural production, with its regions growing over 60% of all apples in the country. The republics with the largest apple orchard areas include Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia and the Stavropol region.
North Ossetia is home to the largest apple orchard in southern Russia, covering 1,500 hectares, while Kabardino-Balkaria accounts for 19% of the country’s total apple production. This republic also boasts some of the oldest intensive orchards in Russia, established back in the 2000s.
"The North Caucasus is one of the best regions for industrial fruit and berry cultivation due to its favourable climate. Large volumes of not only apples but also plums, pears, apricots, grapes, cherries, sweet cherries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are grown here," said Yelena Shatyrenok, a tour guide at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Apples have traditionally held an important place in the Russian diet — the average resident of Russia consumes around 14 kilograms of apples each year.
Visitors to the exposition "Journey Across Russia" also learn about the agricultural achievements of the Central Federal District. The exposition of this macroregion showcases not only a wheat field but also the automation of the harvesting process. Thanks to digital technologies, productivity has increased significantly, while the need for physical labour has decreased.
On display is the Hector S-80 agricultural drone, which helps to manage and monitor cultivated land. It enables field condition mapping and targeted fertilisation and crop protection, reducing costs and improving yields.
Visitors can also see the TORUM 785 unmanned combine harvester from Rostselmash, which set a Russian record by harvesting 400 tonnes of grain in just 8 hours.
The agro-industrial complex of the Black Earth region plays a key role in Russia’s agriculture, accounting for around 30–40% of national grain and livestock production. In 2023, Russia harvested the second-largest grain crop in its history, which not only satisfied domestic demand but also strengthened the country’s position as a leading exporter on the global market.
Admission to the exposition "Journey Across Russia" is free as part of guided tour groups, which are formed through advance registration on the website russia.ru in the "Events" section.
