August 14, 2007

Russia's meat imports still rising strongly

Russia's meat imports rose 24.5 percent on-year to 636,900 tonnes in January-June, Russia's Federal Customs Service said Monday (Aug 13). 

Value of meat imports rose 67 percent to US$1.5 billion during the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Fish imports rose 33 percent to 393,600 tonnes in the first six months of the year, with value rising 55 percent from US$399.2 million last year to US$620.1 million.

However, poultry imports fell 8.9 percent to 534,800 tonnes during the period. Value was up 9.1 percent to US $419.1 million, from US$384.1 million in the same period of 2006.

Russia's poultry production this year is expected to increase 14 percent to 2.56 million tonnes from 2.25 million tonnes in 2006.