EEC expecting full import substitution for pork, poultry in EAEU by 2021
BISHKEK. Sept 26 (Interfax) - The EAEU may be able to achieve full import substitution for pork and poultry by the end of 2020, Member of the Board and Minister for Industry and the Agricultural Sector of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Alexander Subbotin told journalists in Bishkek during the forum Eurasian Week.
EAEU countries are currently focused on the agro-industrial complex, since food security is an element of national security, Subbotin said. Agricultural-development projects are developing apace, and the process of import substitution has already been completed for many products, he said.
"We now fully provide ourselves with grain and products derived from grain, eggs, and mutton. The issue of import substitution for vegetables and fruits remains open. We bring in almost 50% from outside, but here Kyrgyzstan holds all the cards, because the climatic conditions are such that they grow well in this soil and are very tasty. As for milk, today we still need about 1 million tonnes of our own milk. And we bring in about 10% of beef," Subbotin said.