
In the year of 2015 Belarusian agrarians aim to raise exports to Russia by 10 percent
The Head of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry’s Main Department for Foreign Economic Activity, Alexey Bogdanov, tells us, “Although the past year wasn’t great in terms of exports, we’ve managed to cope with our problems. As a result, our stocks of meat and milk products (held at warehouses) were truly low by late 2014. We’ve overcome food export losses owing to fixing prices to a Dollar rate while accepting payments in Russian Roubles. Accordingly, enterprises which saw losses in the autumn, while trading on the Russian market, are now generating a profit. Initially, our Russian partners weren’t so keen on the new ‘rules’ and it took time to address all issues and stabilise the situation. Annual agricultural exports fell in value — to around $3.15bln (5 percent less than in 2013) although physical sales volumes rose. Over 90 percent of sales were to the Russian market; we all know that our neighbours enjoy Belarusian food. We value buyers’ trust, always working to enhance quality and features.”

Union partners are annually accumulating experience in working jointly to promote national products to the third countries. At present, our three states are working on an agreement to establish a free trade zone with Vietnam, which would allow duty-free promotion of export-oriented products to the Vietnamese market — including meat and milk products.
This year should see the launch of a co-ordinated agro-industrial policy by the EEU and the Customs Union member states. Mr. Bogdanov notes that the ultimate aim is to enhance the free movement of goods and services within the EEU. He comments, “To realise the concept, the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council adopted a stage-by-stage plan of action in November 2014, focusing on financing, state support for agriculture, regulation of the single market and protective measures, as well as single requirements for agriculture production, procession and exports.”
This year, Belarusian agrarians aim to raise exports by 10 percent, while expanding their geography of sales. Everything necessary to achieve the goal is available. Last year, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance placed a ban on 23 Belarusian companies’ produce, but only nine now remain restricted. According to the Russian agency, these enterprises are soon to be inspected by Russian specialists, with the purpose of allowing them to export their beef.
By Lilia Khlystun
Positive trend in food preferences
Healthy lifestyle is in trend now: Belarusians buy more fruit and fish in 2014

In 2014, Belarusians bought 5.4 percent more meat and sales of sugar-based confectionery increased by 4.4 percent.
Regarding non-food products, sales of construction materials rose by 25 percent, 14.6 percent more footwear was sold and 12.1 percent more TV sets. Domestic produce accounts for 69.8 percent (in 2013, 69.6 percent) of sales: 82.2 percent of food and 53.1 percent of non-food products.