World meat industry news

Cherkizovo Group, which claims to be Russia's largest vertically integrated meat producer, plans to significantly expand its pork production.

The company said last week that annual production capacity would be increased by 45,000 t to nearly 350,000 t of live weight. To this end, four new pig farms with 40,000 places each would be built in the Tambov region. The company put the total planned investment at € 99.5 mill. In addition, the group plans to expand its feed mill located in the same district, which produces feed for the group's own turkey fattening operations. Over € 46.8 mill. is to be spent for this purpose. After the additional capacity is commissioned, expected in 2023, the mill is expected to reach an hourly output of 60 t to 80 t of feed, the company said.

However, according to Cherkizovo's annual report published last Thursday, the group's own pork production dropped significantly in 2021, down 20% year-on-year to 240,000 t live weight. Reasons for this are not given. On the other hand, turkey meat sales expanded by 28% to 52 ,400 t, and chicken meat sales increased by at least 3% to 711,200 t.