January 12, 2012

Russia approves 2012 meat import quota distribution

As set in a government resolution of December 29, 2011, Russia's 2012 meat import quota distribution has been approved by the government.

The tariff-rate quota volumes were fixed by a decision of the Customs Union Commission on November 18, 2011, to protect domestic producers from competitive imports.

This year's import quota of fresh and chilled beef is 30,000 tonnes, with the EU countries accounting for 29,000 tonnes of that amount. The frozen beef quota, 530,000 tonnes, is distributed between the US and Europe (60,000 tonnes each), Costa Rica (3,000 tonnes) and other countries (407,000 tonnes).

The poultry import quota is 250,000 tonnes with the added 70,000 tonnes of ground chicken, which has been added as a separate item for the first time. The EU countries will be allowed to export 56,000 tonnes of ground chicken to Russia, while other countries will contribute 14,000 tonnes. They can also supply 10,000 tonnes of ground turkey.