April 20, 2009
Russia to meet 90 percent of local meat demand in three years
Russia's domestic meat production will meet 90 percent of local demand, according to a senior minister.
Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said there are currently 800 incomplete breeding farms that are planned to complete and operate in 2009-10.
The farms will produce an additional 1.2 million tonnes of milk and 1.3 million tonnes of meat, Skrynnik said.
Russia's First Vice Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov projected Russia to achieve total self-sufficiency of poultry meat and pork by 2012.
The Russian government plans to lower meat import quotas in favour of domestic production, but does not intend to fully close imports.
Zubkov said if imports are closed, competitiveness will decrease and local producers will start to increase prices and neglect meat quality.
Zubkov noted that meat imports must not reach 40 percent of total consumption volume.
Skrynnik said Russia consume about nine million tonnes of meat per year, with three million tonnes being imported.
