December 23, 2008
Russia's meat imports fall in December
Russia imported 77,500 tonnes of meat in the first two weeks of December, a sharp drop from the previous two months, according to the national meat producers' association.
During the two-weeks period, Russia imported 20,000 tonnes of pork, 25,000 tonnes of beef and 32,500 tonnes of poultry.
In comparison, the monthly average pork import was 62,500 tonnes, said the association.
Beef import in October was 75,000 tonnes and in September 81,000 tonnes. Poultry imported in the first two weeks of December was also only half of the imported amount in the same period in December 2007.
The association said overstocking of storage facilities in Russia, cash flow problems and credit issues have caused imports to decline.
