9 Nov 2011 16:41

Russia ups meat imports 5.5% in Jan-Sept, citrus imports top 1 mln tonnes

MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax) - Russia increased its meat imports (excluding poultry) 5.5% year-on-year in January-September 2011 and citrus fruit imports exceeded 1 million tonnes for the first time.

Meat imports (excluding poultry) reached 962,400 tonnes (for $3.4 billion) compared to 912,500 tonnes ($2.9 billion) in January-September 2010, the Federal Customs Service reported.

Poultry imports rose to 267,500 tonnes ($369.5 million) from 259,200 tonnes ($376.3 million). Russia imported 56,100 tonnes of butter ($228.5 million), up from 50,300 tonnes ($163.6 million) and 88,400 tonnes of sunflower oil ($118.7 million), up from 52,700 tonnes ($48.7 million).

Imports of citrus fruits reached 1.01 million tonnes ($979.3 million), compared to 873,300 ($730.7 million). Imports increased to 79,200 tonnes ($369.7 million) for coffee from 75,700 tonnes ($228.7 million) and to 140,400 tonnes ($461 million) for tea from 132,700 tonnes ($411.2 million).

Russia increased its raw sugar cane imports from 1.9 million tonnes (for $1 billion) in January-September 2010 to 2.3 million tonnes ($1.7 billion) in the same period of 2011. However, imports of white sugar fell from 52,500 tonnes ($34.6 million) to 43,300 tonnes ($39.2 million).

The Customs Service said fish imports dropped to 489,600 tonnes ($1.3 billion) from 576,300 tonnes ($1.15 billion). Imports of condensed cream and milk fell to 26,000 ($83.3 million) from 53,300 ($163.6 million).

Food goods and ingredients made up 14% of imports from non-CIS countries in the nine months, compared to 15.3% in the same period of 2010, the Customs Service said. Food goods and ingredients accounted for 13.3% of imports from CIS countries, compared to 15.8% in January-September 2010.