World meat industry news

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sergey Levin took part in the 13th meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture, which took place in the Limpopo province of South Africa.

The Deputy Head of the Ministry of Agriculture said that Russia continues to steadily increase the pace of agricultural production, despite the current sanctions restrictions and increasing political pressure. As a result, the country not only fully supplies its own population with the necessary types of food, but also maintains the status of a reliable supplier to world markets, is an active participant in international humanitarian programs, contributing to the achievement of global food security. Most of our agricultural products go to developing countries and the poorest countries.

Sergey Levin noted the positive dynamics of cooperation between the BRICS member countries and Russia. Over the past year, the turnover of agricultural products increased by almost 40%. In the first half of this year, the volume of mutual trade increased by another 50% compared to the same period last year.

Russian exports to the BRICS countries are also actively growing - by almost 80% in the first 6 months of this year. First of all, this was achieved thanks to an increase in the supply of vegetable oils, frozen fish, crustaceans and soybeans. Sergey Levin emphasized that, in general, the dynamics of trade clearly demonstrates the mutual interest of our countries and strong trade, economic and political ties.

Next year, the BRICS chairmanship will pass to the Russian Federation. According to the Deputy Minister, ensuring long-term food security through the creation of sustainable, productive and innovative food systems will be a priority topic.

At the BRICS Rural Development Symposium, Sergey Levin shared with colleagues his experience in implementing the state program "Integrated Development of Rural Territories".

As a result of the event, a joint declaration of the 13th meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the BRICS countries was adopted.

On the margins of BRICS, Sergey Levin also held a number of bilateral meetings.

The Deputy Minister discussed the prospects for cooperation in the agro-industrial complex with the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa Angela Tokozile Didiza.

Agriculture is one of the main areas of trade and economic cooperation between the countries. Russia and South Africa are actively working to strengthen cooperation in this direction. In the first half of 2023, trade turnover between the countries increased by 2.4 times compared to the same period last year. The Deputy Minister expressed his readiness to increase the export of grain, oil and fat and meat products to South Africa.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture discussed the increase in mutual deliveries of agricultural products with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil Roberto Peroza. This country is for us one of the leading trade and economic partners in Latin America. Over the past years, there has been a steady upward trend in bilateral trade in agricultural products.