Business news

MINSK, 12 February (BelTA) – Belarus ranked third among the world’s leading butter exporters in 2015, deputy head of the main food department of the Agriculture and Food Ministry Maria Klimova said at the international science-to-practice seminar "Innovative Technology and Equipment for Dairy Industry", BelTA learnt from the website of the Institute for Meat and Dairy Industry.

In her speech Maria Klimova reviewed the work of the industry in 2010-2015 and analyzed the main trends on the world market. In her words, Belarus fully satisfies its domestic needs in dairy products. The annual per capita milk output in Belarus is 2.7 times higher than its consumption and makes up 253kg per man.

According to Maria Klimova, in 2015 Belarus gained a strong footing on the world market of dairy products, showing progress in all main positions (the export of butter – 28%, cheese – 10%, skimmed milk powder – 3%). In the export of butter Belarus moved the United States from the 3^rd place in the list of world exporters.

Milk processing volumes grew up 23% in 2015 as against 2010 and outperformed the target set in the state program “Agricultural Sector – Sustainable Development of Rural Areas” by 1 million tonnes.

The production of skimmed dry powder increased by 61%, which also exceeded the preset targets. With the program “Belarus’ agrarian business development for 2016-2020” underway, the Agriculture and Food Ministry plans to increase the volume of milk processing by 31%, cheese production by 30%, butter by 32%, dry powder by 56% and whole-milk products by 39%.