Belarusian food exports need diversified markets

MINSK, 12 March (BelTA) - Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich urged to diversify the markets used to sell Belarusian food products. Mikhail Myasnikovich made the relevant statement at the session of the Council of Ministers Presidium held on 13 March to discuss the fulfillment of the 2011-2015 countryside development program in 2011, BelTA has learned.

The head of government remarked most Belarusian foods (80%) are sold in Russia, with the share of other CIS states at 6%. Sales outside the CIS make up only 5%. The distribution of exports is not good, said Mikhail Myasnikovich. It is necessary to diversify markets and move into other countries. Mikhail Myasnikovich reminded Russia had adopted a food security doctrine. In line with the document problems of supplying the domestic market with poultry meat and pork will be taken care of in the next few years. "It should be borne in mind. It is necessary to get integrated with Russian producers and Kazakh colleagues," said the Prime Minister.

He also reminded that by the end of the five-year term Belarusian agriculture is supposed to raise export up to $7.2 billion, with the foreign trade surplus at $4 billion in 2015 taking into account consumer intermediate imports and investment imports.

In 2011 Belarusian agricultural enterprises exported $4.1 billion worth of products while the target was set at $3.7 billion. Foreign trade surplus totaled $734 million, which was above the target, too.

Source: BELTA