Papaya, cocoa, and colorful bananas from Sochi: How tropical fruits are grown in Russia
Nineteen banana varieties are currently planted in Sochi's greenhouses.
Interestingly, the skin color varies across varieties, but the flesh is the same—white. However, the flavor varies: for example, one variety tastes like vanilla ice cream. The first multicolored fruits are expected to arrive this fall.
What has already grown and what is the scale?
The most resounding success is, of course, the bananas. Currently, 120 plants are already bearing fruit in the greenhouses, and another 45 are in the flowering stage.
In addition to bananas, five varieties of papaya, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapples, avocados, mangoes, sugarcane, ginger, and even cocoa are growing in the greenhouses. The harvest of these fruits confirms that Sochi's climate, with its minimal heating costs, is suitable for tropical crops. The main goal is the commercial cultivation of exotic fruits, Interfax reports.
Our experimental greenhouses grow 19 varieties of bananas, as well as avocado, cocoa, sugarcane, dragon fruit, pomegranate, kiwi, and persimmon. Three experimental greenhouses, each 600 square meters, have been created as part of a project with the International Academy for the Development of Subtropical Agriculture. However, farmers are ready to expand their production area.
Andrey Platonov, Deputy Director General of the Academy for the Development of Subtropical Agriculture and head of the 100 Hectares peasant farm
What's next: excursions, seedlings, and ice cream
The project won't just be about harvesting. The farmers have big plans:
- An exotic garden for everyone: plans are underway to open the greenhouses to visitors. There, visitors will be able to see how tropical fruits grow, learn about the technology, and purchase seedlings.
- Agritourism: there are plans to develop this area as a new tourist destination on the map of Sochi.
- In-house processing: the farm plans to launch banana ice cream production by the end of 2026. They also plan to introduce coconut and date flavors. They plan to use Russian cocoa along with locally grown bananas to make the ice cream.
The first batch of Sochi bananas will be sold in limited quantities directly at the greenhouse complex. Customers will be able to select and purchase freshly cut bananas. Retail sales will begin once production volumes increase. No decision has been made yet.
Growing tropical fruits in Sochi is no longer just a scientific experiment, but a working business model. The first harvest confirmed that the local climate is suitable and the project has a future. Now all that remains is to wait for these bananas, papayas, pineapples, and other exotic fruits to appear on store shelves, and then we'll be able to try our own tropical fruits.
Previously, we explained why sea buckthorn leaves are healthier than berries.
