Belarus set to hit $1bn in meat export in 2021

Belarus is determined to increase the export of meat products up to $1 billion in 2021, Aleksei Bogdanov, Head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Activities of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, told reporters at the Belarus Meat Export Forum on 24 March, BelTA has learned.

“Promotion of Belarusian export, preservation of long-standing traditions of quality are among the main topics to be discussed today. The last year was challenging because of the pandemic, but we did a very good job: we managed to increase the export of Belarusian meat in physical terms by almost 11%. We exported 400,000 tonnes to 24 countries of the world. Moreover, we penetrated six new markets, including Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia. Last year, the export of meat products amounted to $973 million, while this year we are set to hit $1 billion,” Aleksei Bogdanov said.

Russia accounts for 60% of Belarus' meat export. “We supply the biggest assortment of products there, including sausages, canned food,” the official said.

Twenty-six companies are certified to supply Belarusian poultry and beef to China. The export of these products to China doubled to reach $114 million in 2020.