Business news

19 Nov 2020

Belarus’ agricultural exports at around $4.5bn in January-October

An archive photo

MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – Belarus' agricultural exports are projected to total $4.5 billion in January-October, Belarus' Deputy Agriculture and Food minister Igor Brylo said at the press conference “Harvest 2020: Results and achievements, diversification of food exports" in Minsk on 19 November, BelTA has learned.

"In January-October Belarus' exports of agricultural and food products rose by 6.1% year-on year and approached $4.2 billion. Major exports were milk and dairy products - about $1.8 billion (up by 5.7% year-on-year), meat and meat products - $740 million (up by 12%), vegetable oils - $218.5 million (18.3%), butter - $133.7 million (35.5%), sugar - $112.8 million (20%), chocolate and cocoa-containing products - $51.8 million (5.4%), casein - $8.8 million (54.6%), gelatin - $6.6 million (10.9%), flour - $4.9 million (up by 1.5%)", Igor Brylo said.

According to him, Belarus exported agricultural and food products to 105 countries. The country has gained access to 21 new markets - Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bahrain, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka), Africa (Angola, Guinea, Djibouti, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Sierra Leone), the Americas and the Caribbean (Belize, Paraguay, Uruguay), the European Union (Cyprus, Luxembourg, Finland, Croatia). Russia accounted for more than 74.5% of Belarus' total food exports (97.6% in January-September 2019, down by 6.4%).

Horticulture exports amounted to more than $360 million. Fresh vegetables accounted for 44.5% of total vegetable crop exports), fruits and berries - about 30%, potatoes - almost 8%, flax fiber - about 4%. Belarus sold horticulture products to 39 countries. Major export partners were Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan and the European Union countries (Germany, Lithuania, Poland, France).

The deputy minister named China a promising market. “The supplies of our goods to this region increase every year. In January-October 2020 we exported a record amount of products there – worth almost $200 million (up 2.3 times). In recent years, we have certified 98 enterprises for deliveries to China. Of them, 56 are producers of dairy products, 17 - frozen beef, 9 - frozen chicken, 7 - processed fish products, 4 - sugar beet pulp, 4 - mink fur, 1 - peat. This work continues, and such products as pork, flour, baby food and beef are undergoing certification with the veterinary service of China,” Igor Brylo said.

In January-September, proceeds from sale of products was up 15.5% year-on-year. Profits on sale went up by 25.3%. Sales margins stood at 5.7% (up by 0,4),” the deputy minister said.

The number of loss-making organizations reduced from 184 (in early 2020) to 98 (on 1 October) thanks to financial rehabilitation measures. The main financial rehabilitation tools for struggling agricultural organizations are stipulated in Decrees No.253 and No.399.