January 18, 2012

Russia's 2012 local fish trade to hit 80%

Citing the country's food safety guidelines, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said Tuesday (Jan 18) that the trade of domestic fish products in the Russian market will reach 80% in 2012.

"Given the current dynamics of production growth and imports reduction, it is necessary in the current year to reach an 80% production level, which is laid out in Russia's food security guidelines," Zubkov said, adding that in 2011 the level amounted to 78%.

He also said that fish and sea food consumption increased to 22 kilograms per capita in 2011 compared with 21 kilogrammes in 2010.

The level of fishing increased 5% in 2010 to 4.23 million tonnes, while the output of fish products rose 7.5% to 4.5 million tonnes, Zubkov added.