Foreign producers of starter cultures not planning to exit Russian market - dairy union

MOSCOW. May 30 (Interfax) - Foreign producers of starter cultures for the Russian dairy industry are continuing to fulfill the concluded contracts, thus there is no shortage of these products, the Russian National Union of Dairy Producers (Soyuzmoloko) said in a statement.

"Our international partners are continuing to fulfill all their obligations. The companies are not planning to leave the Russian market, and there is no reason to talk about a shortage of fermented milk products. Production will not be stopped," Soyuzmoloko said.

Additionally, producers always have formed stocks, and there are alternative starter suppliers and starter culture producers in case logistical complications arise.

Soyuzmoloko also recalled that the dairy industry's processing sector continued developing positively in the first quarter according to forecasts, and the trend should continue.

Media reported the other day that Russia lacked raw materials for fermented milk products, given that around 80% of starter cultures are imported from Denmark, Bulgaria and Italy, and supplies had been disrupted owing to the sanctions. According media reports, there were sufficient stocks for a maximum of six months, thereby possibly resulting in a shortage of quark cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and other types of cheese in Russia going forward.