Russia: Poultry import steadily increasing

After entering into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in August 2012 the volume of poultry import has been consistently increasing on average by 5-10% every month compared to 2011. However, in January 2013 the volume of poultry being supplied to Russia from abroad appeared to be 4 times higher on year-to-year figures.

In January 2012 Russia imported about 20,000 tonnes of poultry, while in January 2013, according to preliminary estimates, this figure rose to 78,000 tonnes.

At the same time Russia is also seeing an increase in the volume of domestic poultry production. According to data recently published by Federal Static Service (Rosstat) in January, all agricultural organisations in the country produced 381,000 tonnes of poultry in live weight. Compared to the first month of 2012, the index of the current year is by 11.3% higher.

Only in the Southern Federal District the level of production showed a negative trend compared with last January – when it produced only 30,000 tonnes – an 18.7% lower year-on-year comparison.

Also according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia as of February 1, 2013 the average production costs for chicken did not change significantly compared to last year. The average price has been amounted to RUB 92.51 (US$ 3.1) per kg. In January the price for chicken fell by 2% compare to December of 2012.