Russia may ban exports of various types of poultry meat for six months - Agriculture Ministry

MOSCOW. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Russia may ban exports of various types of poultry meat for a six-month period due to increased prices on the domestic market.

The draft government resolution "On the introduction of a temporary ban on the export of certain types of poultry meat from the Russian Federation" is being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, a notice posted on the regulation.gov.ru website said.

This measure is due to rising prices for poultry meat, the Ministry said.

"Currently, there is a significant increase in domestic prices for certain types of poultry meat in the Russian Federation. According to monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture, the increase compared to the corresponding period last year totaled 25.3%," the materials posted on the website say. "This situation is connected 'primarily with a decrease in production volumes of these products in recent months and an increase in their cost due to the high dollar exchange rate. In addition, the current situation contributes to the excessive attractiveness of exporting poultry meat compared to supplying the domestic market, which poses a threat to the food security of the Russian Federation."

"Taking into account the above, in order to curb the rise in consumer prices for socially significant products and to prevent shortages, it is proposed that a temporary ban be established on the export of certain types of poultry meat outside the territory of the Russian Federation for a period of 6 months," the Ministry of Agriculture said.

However, there is no indication as to which specific types of poultry meat will be limited for export.

As reported, at a meeting with members of the government on Wednesday, the Russian President asked Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev to explain the reasons for the rise in prices for chicken and called on the Cabinet of Ministers to respond more quickly to the price situation on the market, including by purchasing products in neighboring countries. Patrushev said that purchases of chicken meat have already been organized in Belarus and Kazakhstan, and domestic producers have begun to reduce the prices of their products.