Russia hog breeders form new hog association

The largest hog breeders in Russia have joined hands to found a new special association, National Union of Hog Breeders, in order to help the country to become a world leader in pork production.

 

Before the formation of this union, there has been no such non-commercial organisation in Russia to protect the pig industry's economic interests.

 

According to the Meat Union's data, Russia's pork production increased eight percent to about two million tonnes in 2008. Pork and byproduct imports reached 1.2 million to 1.3 million tonnes last year.

 

In the first five months of 2009, domestic pork production increase dynamics remained at eight percent, said experts. Federal Customs Service said that meat imports for the first four months of 2009 fell 17.6 percent on-year.

 

More than half of Russia's pork production takes place in private farms, with one-fourth of the meat volumes being produced by large farms.

 

Experts said large enterprises could make domestic pork competitive in the national and world markets.

 

Agriculture Deputy Minister, Aleksander Belyaev, has been assigned as the Chairman of Board of Directors of the new Union.