Belarus’ Deputy PM: single market for agricultural products created in Union State

Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko has visited the Prodexpo exhibition in Moscow, bringing together the largest food and beverage producers from Russia and Eastern Europe. More than 70 Belarusian enterprises are taking part in the forum in 2025.

According to Mr. Shuleiko, Russia remains the main trade partner of the Belarusian food industry, and the level of interaction between the two countries in the food production sector allows us to draw a conclusion about the functioning of the Union State single food market.

“If we summarise [the situation on the market], the market has been created, but both sides make adjustments within the framework of following the quality and safety of products,” the Deputy PM noted. “This monitoring allows both Russian and Belarusian buyers to have access to quality products in equal conditions.”

It is necessary to realise, Mr. Shuleiko stressed, that Belarus produces not everything that is consumed in its market; our country imports a lot from the Russian Federation. Interaction in the common market of agrarians, industrialists and scientists is useful for the work of the Union State.

“This [2024] year was a good one for our exporters. This applies not only to the sale of sausages and beef, but it also applies to dairy products: cheeses of various types, and whole-milk products such as butter and sour cream,” he said.

Mr. Shuleiko said that the upcoming meeting in the Russian Government will discuss balances of supplies of Belarusian products for 2025. This is a task that requires annual adjustments, the Deputy PM stressed.

“We are constantly increasing our exports to Russia, this primarily concerns the positions that have a long-term perspective: beef and dairy products,” Mr. Shuleiko said. “But we are also happy to buy, e.g., Russian pork: it is cheaper for our economy, and the quality is excellent. Our processors are working very actively in this direction.”