February 24, 2016

Russia could raise grain exports to the UAE to 2-3 million tonnes, from its previous 0.5 million tonnes volume, according to Sergei Levin, the Russian deputy minister of agriculture.

This volume includes re-exports from the country. The trend means the further proliferation of Russian grains to other Middle East nations.

The export of meats, such as beef, chicken and turkey, could also be increased, in light of Russia's interest to boost this trade.

Meat exports are "rather small", Levin remarked. However, the potential for bigger deliveries lies in the "transit hub" status of UAE which convey supplies to the "entire Arab world with (a) clientele of up to two billion people," he added.

20% of the Russia-UAE trade involves agricultural products, the Russian agriculture ministry revealed. 11% of Russian exports consists of such products while 37% accounts for the Federation's imports from UAE.

Currently, permits for delivering animal products to the UAE has been issued to Russian companies, including seven poultry producers, one beef producer and one ready-to-eat meat products producer.