Foreign producers of agricultural supplies do not want to lose Russian market - AgMin

MOSCOW. April 22 (Interfax) - Foreign producers of supplies for the agricultural sector don't want to lose out on the Russian market, Roman Nekrasov, head of the Agriculture Ministry's department of crop production, said during an agricultural forum titled "Western sanctions: the end of the Russian market or a point of growth?" on Friday in Moscow.

"Foreign companies which operate in the Russian market do not intend to lose it. Of course, we were quite worried about the situation. We approached the primary supplies of seed material, plant protection products, agricultural equipment - no one has so far announced that they are leaving the Russian market. They all remain, they all plan to work here, at least in the medium term," Nekrasov said.

The agricultural sector's dependence on foreign supplies differs, he said. "The basis - grain production, in it, provision with seeds of domestic selection is at 90%, and there are good resources, opportunities to produce our own seeds. It is more difficult for other crops," the department head said.

"Let me repeat: no one intends to lose the Russian market thus far. But, on the other hand, of course, we understand that sanctions pressure, changes in currency exchange rates, and changes in logistics have created difficulties. I can't say that everything is easy and smooth for us. There is a rise in prices for imported components. Yes, this is an objective fact, we recognize it. And in this regard, we are trying to smooth out this growth for agricultural producers using existing elements of state support, so that they could fully continue the production process without interruption," Nekrasov said.

The head of the department also said that farmers have prepared for the current season. "It is quite difficult to talk about the long term now, because the main focus of our attention is on current problems," he said when asked about the long-term situation. "There is currently a plan for the purchase of fertilizers from June to December 2022," he said. "This will give farmers clear information about how much fertilizer they will be able to buy in order to cover their needs for autumn field work and accumulation for spring top-dressing in 2023," Nekrasov said.

In addition, the Agriculture Ministry works with breeding institutions and is setting them the task of "setting up the maximum number of breeding sites in order to maximize the necessary volume of seed material in Russian territory. "And, of course, systematic work is ongoing with our manufacturers of agricultural equipment to ensure that they make the most of the competitive advantages in the form of the relevant exchange rates in order to increase production in Russia," he said.