Russia poultry output seen rising in 2009

Russia's meat and poultry output is expected to increase by 550,000 tonnes in 2009, making it possible to reduce imports, Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik told reporters Thursday (June 11), the Prime-Tass news agency reports.

In 2008, Russia's meat and poultry output increased 6.5 percent on the year to 9.3 million tonnes, the Federal State Statistics Service said earlier.

Russia's milk output is expected to increase by 300,000 tonnes in 2009, Skrynnik said.

In 2008, milk output rose 1.1 percent to 32.4 million tonnes, according to the statistics service.

The grain harvest is expected to amount to 90 million tonnes in 2009, Skrynnik said.

In 2008, Russia's grain harvest amounted to over 108 million tonnes, according to earlier reports.