MINSK, 30 September (BelTA) – The export of Belarusian agricultural products and foodstuffs may reach some $5.8 billion by the end of 2020, Aleksei Bogdanov, Head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Activities of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, told media at the 30th international agricultural expo Belagro on 30 September, BelTA has learned.
“In January-July 2020, the export of Belarusian agricultural products and foodstuffs went up by 6.5%, with goods worth $3.2 billion supplied. We planned to end the year with a growth rate of more than 4%. For the time being this figure is even higher, so at the end of the year we plan to reach some $5.7-5.8 billion,” said Aleksei Bogdanov.
According to the representative of the Agriculture and Food Ministry, export diversification remains one of the strategic areas. “In January-July Belarus sold food products to 101 countries (these were 92 countries last year). This work will be continued,” he emphasized.
As for Russia, Belarus has exports $2.4 billion worth of products there this year. “The share remains quite high, making up 75%. This is our main partner. We will continue to expand and deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation, build constructive trade and economic relations, as Belarusian goods are very popular in the regions of Russia,” said Aleksei Bogdanov.
Speaking about China, the expert noted that many enterprises of meat and fish industry have been certified for supply to China. Almost all dairy enterprises are certified for supplies to that country, too. In January-July 2020, exports to that region amounted to $135 million. “If we compare the year-on-year figures, the volume of exports to China has increased by 2.7 times. The growth driver was dairy and meat products. For example, supplies of meat products (beef and poultry) increased four times, dairy products – doubled,” he said.
Belarus supplies flax fiber, rapeseed oil, confectionery, and alcoholic beverages to China. “In the future, we want to increase both the volume of supplies, because the Chinese market is global and large, and expand the assortment. The focus will be on those goods that go directly to the stores,” Aleksei Bogdanov added.
According to him, the pandemic has not had much impact on exports. “At the pick of the pandemic, we had little difficulty in crossing the borders. All market participants accepted it understandingly,” he said.
