Russian pork producers call for reduced imports

The pork producers in Russia have requested an annual reduction of import quotas by 30-40% since local production increased in the first quarter.

According to a local news source, during the period of 2010-2012, quotas for imported pork to Russia might be reduced by 150,000-200,000 tonnes annually. Initiators of the proposal said this would support the rapidly growing domestic production of pork and avoid a possible surplus production in the domestic market.

Yuri Kovalev, head of Union of Pig Breeders, said that the increase of pork production in Russia is completely provided by the local agricultural organisations.

In addition, the largest pork operators are planning to continue their expansion. This year, Cherkizovo plans to increase pork production by more than 30% compared to 2009, whereas Miratorg will increase by almost 70%.

However, Viktor Linnik, Miratorg's president, believes that currently there is no need to make a hurried decision and that such a proposal should be considered in the second half of this year.

Quotas for imported pork in Russia for 2010 and 2011 are set at 500,000 tonnes, while quota for 2012 is set at 450,000 tonnes.