Belarus loses pork due to ASF
In 2013 due to the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) Belarus did not receive the planned 15,000 tonnes of pork.
“We lost about 15,000 tonnes of meat due to ASF,” said Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus Leonid Zaits. It is assumed that the shortage appeared due to the numerous bans on the import of pork from the regions of Russia and because of the slaughter of pigs inside the country.
In 2014 this figure will increase dramatically, as it is obvious that the situation is complicated by the new outbreaks of ASF, as well as banned supply of pork from the EU.
As a result experts from the Ministry warned that Belarus following Russia may face a deficit of pork, which may hurt the meat-processing industry.
At the same time, Leonid Zaits was unable to specify the size of the financial losses Belarus’ agribusiness experienced due to ASF.
He noted that in 2013 the struggle with ASF inside the country has led to confiscation and culling of 10,500 pigs, with the total compensation of about Br20 billion (US$2.1 mln).
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