Lukashenka instructed to set up production of food packaging in Belarus by the end of the year Alexander Lukashenko

Alexander LukashenkoAlexander Lukashenko 12

August 12, MINSK. During his visit to Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1, President of Belarus ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO instructed to set up production of food packaging in Belarus by the end of the year, BelTA has learned.

About own production of packaging and spare parts

“For this packaging material to be produced in Belarus. To have the material by the end of the year,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed. ".

Packaging material for some types of products, such as MILK, was purchased by Belarusian enterprises abroad. Now some difficulties have arisen with this, which, among other things, affected the volumes of products supplied to the domestic market.

The HEAD of state recalled that the tasks have been set for more than a year. The President entrusted the Minister of Agriculture and Food Igor Brylo with responsibility for setting up the production of food packaging, and Deputy Prime Minister Leonid Zayets was entrusted with overseeing this issue.

In addition, the production of necessary spare parts for imported equipment should be organized in the country, Alexander Lukashenko demanded. “The same thing: either let them sharpen what they need on their knees (gears, bolts, nuts), or look for other options. But it’s better, of course, to produce at home,” he added. “Here are two positions - packaging and spare parts to imported equipment - should be worked out by the end of the year."

On the supply of products and prices in the domestic market

Deliveries of whole-milk products to the domestic market, primarily in the capital, also sank due to the reorientation of enterprises towards more marginal exports. The authorities did not have time to orient themselves in time, and therefore preventive measures were not taken.

“You provide the domestic market so that our people are fed, and then take them wherever you want, where the price is higher. I don’t mind. I’m for you to get a big profit. look for a bottle of milk, which we have in abundance in the country," Alexander Lukashenko said. "There should be no such failures in agricultural products."

Governor of the Minsk region Alexander Turchin to increase prices for whole milk on separate items. According to him, this will improve the economic situation of enterprises. "We do not want to profit, but for some positions there should be a different level of profitability," he said.

"Are you suggesting raising the price of whole milk?" Alexander Lukashenko clarified.

"On some positions, not on all," the chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee explained.

“So people today basically take milk and kefir. What will we do with pensioners?

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that the state has social obligations and we should not forget about them. And most importantly, he stressed, it is necessary to increase the profitability of enterprises primarily through efficient production, and not by raising prices.

About redistribution of processing capacities

The enterprise also discussed the additional loading of milk processing capacities. For example, the enterprises of the Minsk region, Alexander Turchin said, need additional production facilities to process all the products, while in some regions the capacities, on the contrary, are not loaded. Alexander Lukashenko instructed to work on this issue in order to resolve it within a month.

“The problem today, as far as I understand, is the underutilization of production capacities in the whole country. And it is overloaded,” the head of state noted. “This is a task that you must solve within a month. So that everyone understands where we will go. I am glad that you are demanding processing capacity, which we have through the roof. Submit proposals within a month."

Once again about import substitution

The President got acquainted with the work of the plant and visited, among other things, a laboratory where all the nuances are controlled - from milk quality to packaging. Here again we are talking about import substitution. "Here's what you have to do - this is (the necessary packaging. - Approx. BelTA) and spare parts. Water does not flow under a lying stone," Alexander Lukashenko said to the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The head of state was shown various packaging options. The cost of its individual types is two times different. The President drew attention to the fact that this aspect also affects the final price of products. "Look for the cost price here," he advised Alexander Turchin.

"In order to give milk to the population, there is no problem," the head of state summed up.

And about taste preferences

At the plant, Alexander Lukashenko was shown samples of the holding's products, including blue cheese, milk, sour cream, butter, curd products, yoghurts and much more. The President tasted some of them, including blue cheese. "And why do people love him ..." - he said.

The head of state admitted that he still has more traditional taste preferences. "I don't like this cheese. I tried to teach myself. I tried various cheeses," the President said.

“Well done, you are doing everything right. And there is nothing to cry about that there is not enough packaging,” the Belarusian leader summed up the visit.

Taking the opportunity, the governor of the Minsk region Alexander Turchin presented Alexander Lukashenko with a loaf in honor of the first million tons of grain harvested in the region. So far, about half of the area has been harvested in the region, so the agrarians of the capital region are counting on a two-millionth loaf.

And the President instructed to place the gracefully made million-strong loaf in the Palace of Independence as an exhibit.

In the first half of the year, Belarus produced dairy products worth Br5.6 billion in current prices. This is a quarter more than last year. At the same time, the production of butter, cheese, skimmed milk powder and whey powder increased. But indicators for whole-milk products, condensed canned food and whole milk powder sank.

During the same time, $1.5 billion worth of dairy products were exported, which is 20% more than last year. RUSSIA became the main sales market .

Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1 started operating in 1929. Now it is the management company of the First Dairy holding. It includes five production sites located in Minsk, Molodechno, Volozhin, Vileika and Myadel districts, as well as agricultural production branches, agricultural and commercial enterprises.

The holding's factories are engaged in the processing of milk into dairy products: cheeses, butter, whole milk products and dry dairy products. The range includes more than 250 items.