Russia expects farm production to increase this year

Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said Russia's farm production will increase this year.

Russia's meat output is projected to increase seven percent on-year to 6.7 million tonnes in 2009. Milk production is expected to rise 0.5 percent on-year to 32.4 million tonnes in 2009, Skrynnik said.

The share of imported meat is expected to fall to 25 percent in 2009 and 18.1 percent by 2012 from 30 percent in 2008, she said. The share of imported milk is expected to fall to 16.6 percent by 2012.

Gross grain output is projected at 93 million tonnes this year.

Russia's total agricultural output in monetary terms is projected to rise to about RUB3 trillion (US$100.3 billion) in 2009 from RUB2.6 trillion (US$87 billion) in 2008, Skrynnik also said.