FIELD: biotechnology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of biotechnology, namely to the production of astaxanthin, and can be used in the microbiological industry. A method for preparing a nutrient medium for cultivating the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (Phaffia rhodozyma) is proposed. As components of the fermentation medium for cultivation, soy molasses is used in an amount that provides a total sugar content in the nutrient medium of 14–21 g/l, and residual brewer's yeast in an amount that provides a content of 2±0.2 g of yeast extract solids per liter of nutrient medium. EFFECT: invention provides an increase in the amount of biomass by 34%, and the concentration of astaxanthin (g/l) - by 13%. 1 cl, 3 tbl.