Russia ups imports of main foodstuffs in Q1
MOSCOW. May 11 (Interfax) - Russia increased imports of the main foodstuffs in the first quarter of 2011.
The Federal Customs Service said Friday that imports of meat (excluding poultry) grew to 238,600 tonnes (for $949.6 million) from 227,000 ($764 million) in the first quarter of 2011. Poultry imports amounted to 78,200 ($121 million), up from 48,800 ($66.6 million).
Powdered milk and cream imports doubled to 30,100 tonnes ($74.8 million), while butter imports dropped from 27,100 tonnes ($97.7 million) to 22,800 tonnes ($98.8 million).
Citrus fruit imports climbed to 575,400 tonnes ($523.5 million) from 562,700 tonnes ($541.2 million).
The value of grain imports reached $156.2 million, compared to $106.4 million in the same period of 2011. This was largely due to an increase in barley imports to 154,400 tonnes ($56.6 million) from 80,900 tonnes ($28.2 million).
The Federal Customs Service said imports of coffee increased to 25,200 tonnes ($115.2 million) from 23,000 tonnes ($99.1 million). Imports of tea fell to 43,300 tonnes ($145.1 million) from 45,600 tonnes ($149.4 million).
Imports of cocoa containing products climbed from 34,300 tonnes ($156.6 million) to 38,600 tonnes ($178.3 million). Imports of cocoa beans remained virtually unchanged at 13,400 tonnes ($39.2 million).
The surge in the sunflower harvest last year and an increase sunflower oil production led to a drop in sunflower oil imports to 1,000 tonnes ($1.4 million) in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 56,900 tonnes ($75.4 million) in January-March 2011.
Russia spent $526.9 million on alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage imports in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $498 million in the same period of 2011.
The value of cigarette and cigar imports dropped from $25.5 million to $14.5 million.