Russia could raise pork import duties
The Ministry of Agriculture in Russia plans to protect the domestic pork market, against growing volume of imports of live pigs and pork offal, according to Russian media reports.
By Evegen Vorotnikov
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Currently, the import of live pigs in Russia is taxed at a rate of 15% of customs value, whereas extra-quota pork at 75%. According to experts, this is used by unscrupulous suppliers, importing into Russia live pigs for slaughter at local capacities.
Russian meat producers believe that it is necessary to make import duties on non breeding pigs the same as on extra-quota meat – 75% of customs value.
According to official data, pork imports to Russia in 2008 amounted to 700-800 thousand tonnes. However, according to international experts, Russia imported 1.05 million tonnes.
“With importing live pigs, we stimulate production in other countries but not in Russia,” said director general of one of the largest Russian meat processing plants Ostankino Mikhail Popov.
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In addition, the importation of live pigs in such numbers is also a huge health and veterinary issue.
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