January 15, 2009

Russia's meat imports grew 17.6 percent on-year to 1.461 million tonnes in January to November 2008, according to the Federal Customs Service on Wednesday (Jan 14).

In terms of value, meat imports rose 47 percent on-year to US$4.4 billion during the period.

Imports from countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) accounted for nearly all meat imports in the period, said the service.

Russia's poultry imports fell 5.6 percent on-year to 1.066 million tonnes in the period, with the value rising 27.6 percent on-year to US$1.159 billion.

Russia's fish imports grew 4.2 percent on-year to 773,400 tonnes, with the value increasing 21.3 percent on-year to US$1.463 billion.

In 2007, Russia's meat imports rose 8.2 percent on-year to 1.42 million tonnes, the service said.