Russia boosts meat exports

A report from the Russian analytical agency Meat Info revealed that Russia exported 11,290t of meat and processed poultry products in January-July 2013, a 24% year-on-year increase on the same period in 2012. In 2010-2012, the average export for this period was around 9,100t-9,600t, while in 2009 the country only exported 2,200t of poultry.

“In June, Russian poultry exports amounted to 2,263t, which is 46% higher than in June 2012. The poultry sector is seriously focused on exports; it is the most promising area of development [in the meat industry] as this segment is increasing production volumes, so we can suggest that Russian poultry meat exports will continue to rise,”​ the report stated.

Limited export markets​

However, experts warn that Russia’s failure to establish new export markets could limit its potential to boost its meat exports in the future.

Around 22% (2,500t) of Russian poultry was sent to Thailand and the same amount was supplied to Vietnam. As for other types of meat, 90% is exported to CIS countries, in particular the largest buyer of pork - with 60% of total exports - Kazakhstan. Russian producers admit that there is no further potential for increasing supplies to these markets, which are currently saturated with meat.

However, analysts at Russian analytical agency XXI Agro predicted that in the next few years, Russian pork exports may grow on the back of demand from China. “China has traditionally purchased offal, ears and snouts from Rusisa, but the country is now beginning to show interest in fresh pork,”​ experts said.

Under government plans to develop Russia’s meat industry, the country should boost meat exports to 600,000t over the next 7 years, including 400,000t of poultry meat. However, most experts doubt that the country will be able to achieve those targets.