Russian pet food production covers domestic consumption, ministry says

MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Pet food production in Russia is more than sufficient to cover the needs of the domestic market, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Production rose 8% in the first half of 2022 after growing 10.8% in 2021, it said. "Production volumes not only cover most domestic needs, they also make it possible to export these products to other countries," the ministry said in a statement.

More than 190 enterprises in 50 regions work in this industry, the ministry said. Most commercial production is concentrated in Altai Territory, Belgorod, Kaluga, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Rostov, Ulyanovsk and Tver regions and Mordovia. Many foreign companies have localized production in recent years.

"Certain imported brands' departure from the Russian market gives domestic producers an incentive to further expand assortment and increase capacity," the ministry said.

A number of media outlets reported earlier that Purina, Nestle's pet food brand, has suspended production and sales of certain types of pet food in Russia due to problems purchasing ingredients.