Russian annual meat consumption up 12.5 percent in 2008

Russia annual per-capita meat consumption grew by 12.5 percent in 2008 to 63 kilogrammes compared to 2007, according to Meat Russia.

Much of the increase came from increased domestic production following state investment in new pig and broiler farms.

Russian government first deputy chairman, Viktor Zubkov called meat production growth rate optimistic.

Zubkov said for the last three years this rate reached 13.5 percent and 6.5 percent in 2008, with poultry and pork production growth totalled to 15 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

He added that in 2006 to 2008, the growth rate of domestic meat production exceeded imports almost two-fold.

With state support, 22 new and 63 reconstructed broiler production facilities as well as 82 new and 80 reconstructed pork production plants were put into operation in 2008.

He also warned that the current economic situation will require the implementation of new and already started investment projects on poultry and pork complex construction to be kept under control.