Miratorg aims to double pet food production in 2023

MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax) - Miratorg, one of Russia's largest agribusiness groups, is ramping up production of pet food as European producers leave the Russian market.

The company plans to double production at its plant in Kursk Region to 40,000 tonnes this year after quadrupling output to 20,000 tonnes in 2022 from 5,000 tonnes in 2021, the group's press service told Interfax.

"This is a very young plant that opportunely entered what is a new market for Miratorg. Production of dry food was launched here in 2019, investment in which totalled 4.9 billion rubles, and two years later moist food. Now the assortment includes five lines of complete dry and moist foods for cats and dogs, from standard to super premium grade, as well as specialized veterinary diets," the company said.

In light of growing demand for specialized nutrition for pets, the company will increase production of veterinary dietary foods 17-fold, to 272 tonnes, the company said.

"Production of the Expert specialized line of veterinary foods has become a strategically important event for the company. It will make it possible to offset the shortage on the market due to the departure of European producers," Miratorg said, adding that veterinary diet foods are a relatively young and promising area of the market.

Speaking about price policy in this area, the company said that, "depending on the assortment position, we try to be an average of 10-15% more attractive in price compared to the main players."