Business news

MINSK, 6 May (BelTA) - Belarus plans to start supplying beef to China, BelTA learned from Alexei Bogdanov, the head of the main division for foreign economic affairs at the Agriculture and Food Ministry.

“China would like us to launch the beef deliveries in the shortest time possible. The agreement was reached during a visit of the Belarusian delegation headed by Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats to Shanghai for the international food exhibition SIAL 2016,” he noted.

“Chinese companies from Hong Kong have already concluded several contracts for the delivery of by-products with the Belarusian meat-packing plants who participated in the exhibition. We are working to get Belarus certified to supply beef and poultry to mainland China. This will help increase exports of meat and meat products manifold,” Alexei Bogdanov noted.

By participating in SIAL 2016 Belarus seeks to increase the volume and expand the lineup of agricultural exports. “In addition, we wanted to showcase Belarusian meat products to Chinese consumers, develop contacts with government bodies and Chinese companies importing cattle meat and poultry,” Alexei Bogdanov noted.

The delegation of the Agriculture and Food Ministry also held a number of meetings with the departments of agriculture and commerce of the People's Government of Shanghai, and with the heads of the agricultural ministries of Russia and Poland.

SIAL China is one of the world’s largest food expos. It has been held in Shanghai since 2000. The expo showcases foods, non-alcohol and alcohol beverages, hospitality industry products and services, cutting-edge technologies and special equipment for food and packaging enterprises.

Belarus is represented by twelve enterprises: meat and dairy, bakery, beverages and confectionery. In 2015 the enterprises affiliated with the Agriculture and Food Ministry exported $8.4 million worth of goods to China, including 425 tonnes of whey and 111 tonnes of ultra-pasteurized milk.