PepsiСo Ukraine has resumed the operation of its plant for production of soft drinks in Mykolaiv region, and a large tomato producer has also begun work in the region, according to the website of the Mykolaiv regional military administaration.

"Two large enterprises have already begun to work. One of them is PepsiCo, which is restoring its plant, the other enterprise is the world leader in the export of tomatoes. Therefore, the business is also not afraid, it works and recovers, but we would like it to happen faster," the administration quotes its head, Vitaliy Kim.

The official did not specify the name of the enterprise producing tomatoes and their products. At the same time, before the Russian aggression, the largest producer of tomatoes and tomato paste in the region was the Agrofusion company (Mykolaiv), which earlier announced plans to resume the work of its three tomato processing plants in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, which were significantly damaged during the hostilities with Russian invaders.

According to him, the restoration of business life in the region is hindered by a large number of territories mined by Russian invaders.

"South of Ukraine is the territory with the most mines in the world. As for Mykolaiv region, 10% of the region's territory, 270,000 hectares, needs to be cleared or surveyed for the presence of mines. Because of this, it is very difficult for business to plan something, part of the business destroyed, part relocated, and it takes time and conditions, including from the lending side, for the business to recover," he said.

In Ukraine, PepsiCo owns five enterprises: a plant for processing fruit, vegetables and producing juices, a plant for production of juices, carbonated drinks and iced tea (all in Mykolaiv region), Kharkiv Dairy Plant; Kyiv Dairy Plant, which also houses the Agusha baby food plant, launched in 2012.

Agrofusion is a vertically integrated group of companies. It is engaged in the cultivation and processing of tomatoes for manufacturers of juices, ketchups and tomato sauces. It produces tomato paste under the Inagro brand, which is represented in 45 countries around the world.