MINSK, 23 October (BelTA) – The output and fruits and berries in private agricultural enterprises in Belarus rose by 13 times over the last ten years. Tatiana Karbanovich, Deputy Head of the Central Office for Crop Farming of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, mentioned it during a roundtable session hosted by BelTA's press center.
According to the source, domestic production does not fully satisfy demand for apples on the home market yet. This is why new apple orchards are planted every year. As much as 3,300ha was planted in 2016-2019. As much as 315ha has been planted so far this year and the work still continues. A considerable improvement has been secured in this area over the course of the last ten years. Public sector agricultural enterprises increased the output of fruits and berries by 4.2 times in comparison with 2010. Private agricultural enterprises increased their output of fruits and berries by 13 times.
This year Belarusian private farmers and state-run agricultural enterprises are expected to gather in 6.1 million tonnes of potatoes, 601,000 tonnes of fruits and berries, and 1.8 million tonnes of vegetables. Private farmers are expected to produce 1.1 million tonnes of potatoes, 170,000 tonnes of fruits and berries, and 625,500 tonnes of vegetables grown from greenhouses and open fields.
As much as 185,000 tonnes of potatoes will be put aside as seeds. About 200,000 tonnes will be processed for industrial needs. As much as 171,000 tonnes will be sold in retail shops and to public catering industry while the rest will be sold via other channels, including export. As much as 180,000 tonnes of vegetables will be sold in retail and to public catering industry, 43,000 tonnes will be processed, and over 400,000 tonnes will be sold via other channels, including export. As much as 50,000 tonnes of berries will be sold in retail and to public catering industry, 31,000 tonnes will be processed, and the rest will be sold via other channels, including export.
Potato harvesting is nearly over in Belarus. Public sector agricultural enterprises have gathered in about 700,000 tonnes, with the yield at 284 centners per hectare. As much as 110,000 tonnes of field vegetables has been harvested or 79% of the open field area. About 66,000 tonnes of fruits and berries has been harvested by public sector agricultural enterprises.
