Export diversification remains top priority for Belarus’ agriculture

      Diversification of export remains a number one priority for Belarusian agricultural companies in 2013, Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus Vasily Kazakevich told a session of the ministry.
Companies affiliated with the ministry exported to 50 countries worldwide in 2012. The sales geography was expanded by whey export to Vietnam, Qatar, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, Lithuania and Latvia.
      With a view to diversifying export destinations and promoting Belarusian dairy products to the markets of third countries, the Agriculture and Food Ministry together with local authorities is intensifying work to set up joint ventures in Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, the Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister said.  Vasily Kazakevich underlined that the Brest Oblast Executive Committee and the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee need to be more aggressive in their efforts to promote dairy products to the markets of the EU member states. Last year local companies got the right to export to the European Union.
      In 2013 the export of agricultural products should generate $3,380 million worth of revenues, up by 16% compared to 2012. The trade surplus should amount to $2,015.