A record high amount of milk is expected to be produced in Belarus in 2016, Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats reported.
According to the source, last year’s milk production is expected to go up by 125,000 tons YoY to 6.780 million tons.
“It is the first time the republic will produce that much”, Zayats stated.
He remarked that quality parameters of milk production had increased, too, with the average daily milk yield up by 101 kg. The official noted that Belarusian agriculture developed fast in 2016. All kinds of agricultural enterprises managed to secure an output growth rate as high as 103.4% as against 2015. In his opinion, Belarusian food export is expected to produce good results. In physical terms merchandise sales will total 100.4% as against 2015 despite a decline in prices for meat (down by 25%) and dairy products (by 32%) in January-September.
Belarusian agricultural companies managed to mend the situation thanks to larger sales and rising prices in Q4 2016. The enterprises run by the Agriculture and Food Ministry earned about $2.254 billion by selling meat and milk. The demand for food on the home market was satisfied. Leonid Zayats described it as the key accomplishment.
“There is no shortage of food in Belarus. A wide choice of foods is available in Belarusian shops. Belarusians will be able to enjoy a festive selection of dishes”, the Agriculture and Food Minister said.
In his opinion, Belarusian agriculture and food industry will evolve and grow larger in the next few years. In line with the 2016-2020 agribusiness development program milk output is expected to rise by 36% while meat production is supposed to grow by 25%. Belarus’ food export is expected to go up by 40% to about $7 billion.
“It is a difficult task to accomplish. Responsible attitudes and mobilization of all the reserves and assets will be needed. Nevertheless, the first year of the five-year term indicates that Belarusian agriculture is capable of accomplishing these goals”, the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister concluded. (BelTA/Business World Magazine)
