MINSK, 31 May (BelTA) - The capacities available in the country are enough to meet the domestic demand for flour and to export the surplus, Deputy Head of the Directorate of the Processing Industry at the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry Maria Klimova told BelTA as she commented on the state of affairs in the flour and cereal sector of the food industry of Belarus.
"In 2023, we made 496,700 tonnes of flour, including 377,700 tonnes of wheat flour, 114,600 tonnes of rye flour, 1,400 tonnes of oat flour, 0,900 tonnes of triticale and buckwheat flour and 2,100 tonnes of semi-finished flour products and composite mixtures. The capacities available in the country are enough to meet the domestic demand for flour and to export the surplus. Last year we sold abroad 30,800 tonnes of flour worth over $5 million," Maria Klimova said.
As for the production of cereals, in 2023, Belarusian manufacturers made 46,800 tonnes of cereal products: 18,000 tonnes of oatmeal and flakes, 9,700 tonnes of barley, 8,500 tonnes of buckwheat cereals, 3,900 tonnes of semolina, 2,800 tonnes of millet and 1,200 tonnes of split pea.
In 2024-2025, plans are in place to invest Br9.9 million in the baking industry. According to Maria Klimova, investments will be used to set up the lines to produce long pasta similar to Italian ones as part of the import-substituting effort. Beresteisky Pekar and Vitebskkhlebprom bakeries will improve the production cycle for rye bread, which producers will later be able to freeze and export.
"In 2023, we made 496,700 tonnes of flour, including 377,700 tonnes of wheat flour, 114,600 tonnes of rye flour, 1,400 tonnes of oat flour, 0,900 tonnes of triticale and buckwheat flour and 2,100 tonnes of semi-finished flour products and composite mixtures. The capacities available in the country are enough to meet the domestic demand for flour and to export the surplus. Last year we sold abroad 30,800 tonnes of flour worth over $5 million," Maria Klimova said.
As for the production of cereals, in 2023, Belarusian manufacturers made 46,800 tonnes of cereal products: 18,000 tonnes of oatmeal and flakes, 9,700 tonnes of barley, 8,500 tonnes of buckwheat cereals, 3,900 tonnes of semolina, 2,800 tonnes of millet and 1,200 tonnes of split pea.
In 2024-2025, plans are in place to invest Br9.9 million in the baking industry. According to Maria Klimova, investments will be used to set up the lines to produce long pasta similar to Italian ones as part of the import-substituting effort. Beresteisky Pekar and Vitebskkhlebprom bakeries will improve the production cycle for rye bread, which producers will later be able to freeze and export.
