The Ministry of Agriculture expects an increase of pig products production in 2021 by more than 4%

For the first three months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, the production of pigs in live weight amounted to 1.3 million tons (+0.5%).

The pig breeding sub-industry is the main driver of meat production growth in Russia. In recent years, our country has steadily exceeded the target indicator of self-sufficiency in these products, which makes it possible to send surplus abroad and annually increase export volumes. In 2020, pig production in live weight increased by 8.9% to 5.5 million tons. For the first three months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, this figure amounted to 1.3 million tons (+0.5%), while the main growth was provided by agricultural enterprises.

According to the ministry's forecast, the production of pig products in 2021 will increase by more than 4%, while ensuring veterinary welfare. According to the General Director of the National Union of Pig Breeders Yuri Kovalev, the increase in volumes will allow keeping the wholesale prices for pork at the level of the previous year, even despite the increase in the cost of production. At the end of last year, outbreaks of African swine fever were recorded in several regions, which made adjustments to the production plans of the companies. At the same time, according to the union, currently the epidemiological situation at industrial enterprises is stable and does not cause concern - isolated cases of the disease are observed only in the wild and personal subsidiary plots.

In addition, to support the industry, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted a resolution providing for the possibility of prolonging preferential loans to agricultural producers who have suffered losses due to ASF since 2020. This measure refers to investment loans at a rate of up to 5% for the construction, modernization and reconstruction of production facilities, the purchase of machinery and equipment. The active use of state support measures by farmers is one of the key factors determining the positive dynamics of the development of domestic livestock farming. In addition, the formation of a breeding base and the strengthening of veterinary protection play an essential role.

SOURCE: Meatinfo