The decline in domestic consumption of beef and the rise in prices for it in the world, primarily in China, led to a rise in the export of Russian producers. According to the results of the first half of the year, supplies may grow by 223%, to 21.26 thousand tons, which is significantly higher than the dynamics for other types of meat. Pork and poultry producers cannot increase their supplies due to the saturation of foreign markets.

According to the results of the first half of the year, beef exports from the Russian Federation may grow by 223%, to 21.26 thousand tons, the National Union of Pig Breeders (NSS) predicts. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, from January 1 to May 23, 2021, 16.8 thousand tons of beef were sent abroad for $ 55.2 million, which is 5.6 times more in physical and 4.2 times in monetary terms than for the same period 2020. The main buyer (60%) is China, says Veronika Nikishina, head of the Russian Export Center.

The head of the National Meat Association, Sergei Yushin, notes that high export growth rates are primarily due to the low base effect, but Russian beef is indeed in demand and competitive in price, primarily in China.

According to him, after the outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in China in 2019-2020, pork in the country has risen in price and a change in preferences towards beef has begun.

According to Sergei Yushin, in a number of countries there has been a tendency to reduce the number of cattle, primarily under pressure from environmental activists and politicians, but the demand for beef is growing. Within 30 years, the consumption of this meat may increase by 30%, and Russian producers are able to occupy this niche, he said. But, emphasizes Sergei Yushin, for this it is necessary to continue to stimulate investments in the industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture notes that they are guided by the satisfaction of domestic needs, although the growth of meat production allows increasing exports. They add that Russian manufacturers are compensated for part of the costs of certification of products for deliveries abroad. According to forecasts of the Ministry of Agriculture, by the end of 2021, the export of all meat will exceed $ 100 million, primarily due to an increase in supplies to China, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, as well as the start of shipments to Morocco.

Source: Sfera FM