Dankvert: Belarusian food supplies to Russia significantly higher in 2016; nothing being blocked
MOSCOW. Sept 21 (Interfax) - Belarus significantly increased supplies of food products to Russia this year and face no blocks on Russia's part, Rosselkhoznadzor chief Sergei Dankvert told Interfax.
Dankvert's comments follow a statement from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday that supplies of certain Belarusian products are being blocked in Russia, particularly food products.
"The data for the supplies - this is the best argument - show that in the year so far, from January 1 through September 18, Belarusian supplies of the main food products and some types of agricultural output already exceed the level for all of 2015," Dankvert said.
Supplies of beef from Belarus amounted to 96,800 tonnes in 2015 as a whole, but already total 102,000 tonnes in 2016 through September 18. Belarus has delivered 96,000 tonnes of poultry meat so far this year, compared with 99,000 tonnes in 2015. Supply of feed and feed additives totaled 18,100 tonnes in the year so far compared with 9,500 tonnes in full-year 2015.
Supplies of milk and dairy products totaled 619,000 in 2016 through September 18, up from 484,400 in all of 2015. Fish supplies rose to 46,500 tonnes from 37,500 tonnes respectively.
"It must be kept in mind that a portion of Belarusian products brought into Russia do not pass through uncontrolled border crossings. Total supplies may actually be higher by some 10%," Dankvert said. "Given such data, it is difficult to argue that Belarusian food products do not enjoy most-favored status in Russia," he said.
