China assuming constructive position to boost number of pork suppliers from Russia - Agriculture Minister Lut

BEIJING. Sept 2 (Interfax) - Russia' Agriculture Ministry expects an increase in the number of Russian enterprises granted the right to export pork to China, and the Chinese side has been assuming a very constructive position on the matter, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said.

"More companies have submitted [documents for obtaining the right to supply]. We are communicating with China's General Administration of Customs (GAC), and GAC has a very constructive position," Lut told reporters in Beijing. "We hope to expand [the number of suppliers]."

"Everything is going according to plan," she said.

Russia obtained the right to export pork to China at the end of 2023, shipping the first consignment in March 2024 that arrived to the Chinese market in April. Three companies currently have the right to supply pork from Russia to China, namely Miratorg, Tambov Bacon (Rusagro Group ), and Velikoluksky Meat-Processing Plant. Miratorg was the first exporter.

The National Union of Pig Breeders forecasts that another five to six Russian companies could obtain the right to supply pork products to China this year.