Russia boosts cheese imports almost 16% to 25,400 tonnes this year - AgMin
MOSCOW. Dec 11 (Interfax) - Russia imported 25,400 tonnes of cheese from the start of the year to December 3, up 15.8% compared to the same period last year, Russia's Agriculture Ministry said citing preliminary customs data (excluding trade with EAEU countries).
Imports of other dairy products also increased. Supplies of dairy butter totaled 16,700 tonnes, up from 12,700 tonnes for the same period in 2016. Imports of powdered milk grew from 38,400 tonnes in 2016 to 46,100 tonnes this year. The main suppliers of powdered milk included Argentina, Turkey, Uruguay, Switzerland, New Zealand and Iran.
Imports of the product are growing amid an increase in production of comparable domestic products.
The Agriculture Ministry said that production of cheese in Russia grew 4.5% to 385,800 tonnes in 10M, while production of cheese products grew 11.3% to 152,500 tonnes and production of butter was up 6.7% to 225,500 tonnes. Production of powdered milk and butter grew 31% to 120,500 tonnes.