COMMENT: How are things going with Belarusian food exports in the new conditions

Larisa Shabunya Deputy HEAD of the Main Department for Foreign Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food

In the face of external challenges, food security remains a priority for the country. Moreover, Belarus traditionally supplies significant volumes of agricultural products abroad. Larisa Shabunya, Deputy Head of the Main Department for Foreign Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, spoke about the situation with exports and what markets are being staked on during the international forum for economic cooperation dedicated to the 955th anniversary of MINSK.

The agricultural department is sure that the last years have shown a high level of efficiency of the food system in Belarus. Today the country is self-sufficient in terms of food and export-oriented. And if the world is talking about the food crisis and the threat of hunger, then in Belarus there are no prerequisites for this. "In the global ranking Belarus is characterized as a country that ensures its food security and consistently occupies fairly high positions," said Larisa Shabunya.

In recent years, the Belarusian agro-industrial complex has achieved significant results: high-tech production facilities have been created, facilities are being built and modernized, modern equipment and technologies have entered the fields and farms, the production potential is growing and exports are actively developing.

What do we deliver and where?

2021 was a record year for Belarus in the EXPORT of food products and agricultural raw materials. Delivered products worth $6.7 billion, which is 17.3% more than in 2020. The commodity structure of exports includes dairy, MEAT and fish products. Exports of rapeseed oil, potatoes, fresh vegetables and other crop and processing products are being developed. They also export drinks and confectionery.

Last year, the geography of Belarusian food exports included more than 100 countries. RUSSIA remains the main direction as a long-standing strategic partner (its share is about 70% of total exports). Products are traditionally supplied to other CIS countries. In addition, new markets are being developed, including those in Asia and Oceania. CHINA occupied the second place in terms of imports of Belarusian agricultural products . “The European Union is also not left without attention. Our products are in demand there, no matter what,” Larisa Shabunya emphasized.

Dairy industry

“Over the years of sovereignty in Belarus, a large-scale modernization of the agro-industrial sector has been carried out. Thanks to this, we produce 1.5 times more MILK than in 1995. The range of dairy products already includes more than 1.5 thousand items. in the top five world exporters of dairy products," the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food drew attention. This year milk is supplied to 45 countries.

Milk production in Belarus is increasing every year. If in 2013 it was 6.6 million tons, then in 2021 - 7.8 million tons. “Today, the achieved level of production volumes is maintained, and this is not the limit. By 2025, we plan to increase production to more than 9 million tons of milk per year, - Larisa Shabunya shared her plans. - A high level of self-sufficiency has been achieved - 263.3%. So, our country has enough reserves to increase the supply of dairy products abroad."

Meat industry

The meat processing industry is also one of the priority and export-oriented. There are more than 20 meat processing enterprises operating in the country, which produce more than 1,000 types of products. In 2021, about 400 thousand tons were exported. Since the beginning of 2022, more than 240 thousand tons have been delivered abroad. The geography of exports is about 30 countries.

"Recently, thanks to the modernization of production facilities, enterprises have begun to produce more processed high-margin meat products - sausages, canned meat, semi-finished products. The export of such products is increasing, which confirms their high quality and demand on world markets," said the deputy head of the main department of foreign economic activity.

crop production

Potatoes, fresh vegetables, berries are also important both for ensuring food security and for increasing export volumes. According to the results of 2021, deliveries abroad amounted to about $500 million. “For example, our strawberries and cranberries are in demand both in the Russian Federation and in the countries of the European Union,” Larisa Shabunya added.

How are things going this year?

“Despite the current situation in the world, positive dynamics was also ensured for 7 months of 2022. Belarus exported products worth $4.4 billion. The growth rate is 123.6% compared to the same period last year. This is a high indicator. The structure of exports remains almost unchanged ", - said the deputy head of the main department of foreign economic activity.

Statistics for the current year show that the number of countries that import Belarusian agricultural products has decreased slightly. Belarusian agricultural producers and processors manage to develop new markets and increase food supplies abroad.

BELTA.