Russia's meat imports rise 7.8% on-year

Meat imports in Russia yielded a total of 198,800 tonnes on-year from January to March, the Federal Customs Service said Friday (May 7).

In monetary terms, the imports rose to US$629.7 million in the period from US$609.7 million a year earlier, the service said. Almost all meat was imported from countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Poultry imports fell 67% on-year to 49,000 tonnes from January to March. In monetary terms, they fell to US$69.5 million from US$158.7 million. All poultry was also imported from outside the CIS.

Fish imports rose to 243,100 tonnes worth US$405.8 million from 228,400 tonnes worth US$306.5 million.

In 2009, Russia's meat imports fell 19.1% on the year to 1.31 million tonnes, the customs service said earlier.