In 2014 Russia pork producers increased pork production by 4.7% compared to 2013, even with the price turbulence and continuing spread of Africa Swine Fever (ASF), a report from the Agricultural Ministry stated.
Production of pigs in live weight in all categories of farms in the country amounted to 3.81 million tonnes which is 4.7% or 207,800 tonnes more than in 2013. At the same time, the 2.85 million tonnes of pork was produced, which is 12.3%, or 324,900 tonnes more than in 2013, according to the report.
At the same time, the report added that the pig population in all categories last year jumped by 493,600 heads or 2.6% and reached 19.5 million heads.
The largest pork production regions in Russia in 2014 were Belgorod Oblast with the level of production 722,000 tonnes, Kursk Oblast – 213,000 tonnes, Tambov Oblast – 186,000 tonnes and Pskov Oblast – 82,000 tonnes.
On 1 January 2015 the average prices for pigs in live weight in Russia was standing at RUB99.5 (USD $1.5) per kg.
Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia Vladimir Labinov commented that the report stated that in the coming years the main growth of pork production should take place in those regions of the country, where the rate of self-sufficiency in pork is still low.