Nicaragua plans meat export to Russia from 2010

Nicaragua plans to supply 12,000 tonnes of beef and pork products to Russia a year from 2010, Nicaraguan Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ariel Bucardo said Thursday, Russian news agency RIA-Novosti reports.

"We plan to supply annually 12,000 tonnes of meat to Russia priced at US$3,000 per tonne beginning from 2010," the minister was quoted as telling Nicaraguan national radio.

He said officials from Russia agricultural watchdog who had been on a two-week fact-finding visit to Nicaragua, reported that meat was produced in compliance with Russia health and safety regulations.

A memo was also signed followed the visit of Russian experts, Bucardo said.

He stressed that meat supplies to Russia and Venezuela would help Nicaragua diversify its exports and reduce its dependency on the North American market.