Russia: Producers call for reduced pork imports
Russian pork producers have requested a reduction of import quotas by 30-40 percent annually.
According to the Federal State Statistics Service, pork production in Russia in the first quarter increased by 30%.
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According to Russian business daily RBC Daily, during the period of 2010-2012,©quotas for imported pork to Russia might be reduced by 150-200 thousand tonnes annually. According to initiators of the proposal, this would support the rapidly growing domestic production of pork and avoid a possible surplus production on the domestic market.
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Yuri Kovalev, head of Union of Pig Breeders, said that the increase of pork production in Russia is completely provided by the local agricultural organisations, with production volumes steadily increasing.©
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In addition, the largest pork operators are planning to continue their expansion. This year Cherkizovo plans to increase pork production© by more than 30% compared to 2009, while Miratorg by almost 70%.
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However, Viktor Linnik, Miratorg’s president, believes that currently there is no need to make a hurried decision and that such a proposal should be considered in the second half of this year.
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Quotas for imported pork in Russia this year are set at 500 thousand tonnes, while in 2011 at 500 thousand tonnes and in 2012 – 450 thousand tonnes.
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(By Evegen Vorotnikov)
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