Russia imports less food in 2015, but boosts share in total imports to 13.7% - customs
MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) - Russia reduced imports of meat, fish and vegetable oil but raised milk and white sugar imports in 2015.
The Federal Customs Service (FCS) said food imports declined 20.5% in natural terms and 35% in value terms last year. However, their share in total imports rose to 13.7% from 13.4% in 2014.
Imports of fresh and frozen meat (excluding poultry) fell 26.5% to 743,600 tonnes worth $2.47 billion in 2015, from 1.012 million tonnes worth $4.27 billion in 2014.
Poultry imports plunged 44% to 253,400 tonnes ($362.4 million).
Frozen and fresh fish imports fell to 400,800 tonnes ($1.027 billion) from 649,200 tonnes ($1.946 billion).
Imports of milk and condensed cream rose 10.6% to 200,000 tonnes ($411.7 million) from 180,900 tonnes ($627.4 million) in 2014. Butter imports fell to 94,300 tonnes ($306.7 million) from 147,100 tonnes ($730.6 million).
Vegetable oil imports dropped to 3,300 tonnes ($3.8 million) from 8,800 tonnes ($11 million).
Raw sugar imports declined to 506,800 tonnes ($191.3 million) from 666,200 tonnes ($280.1 million) in 2014. White sugar imports increased, to 445,100 tonnes ($161.9 million) from 284,800 tonnes ($178.9 million).
Cocoa bean imports fell to 45,300 tonnes ($156.6 million) from 60,900 tonnes ($213.2 million), products containing cocoa to 71,800 tonnes ($347.4 million) from 128,200 tonnes ($629.4 million), citrus fruit imports fell to 1.539 million tonnes ($1.191 billion) from 1.653 million tonnes ($1.486 billion).
Coffee imports edged up to 156,700 tonnes ($511.1 million) from 154,500 tonnes ($571.6 million) and tea imports to 173,100 tonnes ($637.8 million) from 172,500 tonnes ($645.5 million).