Russia plans to export halal poultry to Middle East

Russia plans to start exporting halal poultry meat to the Middle East in 2015, with the first shipments expected to be sent to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stated a spokesman for Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian federal service for veterinary and photosanitary serveillance.
“Like all Arab countries, Qatar is interested in grain import from Russia. However, now we’re discussing their ability to purchase poultry production, cattle and small cattle. They are certainly interested in production that has passed halal control and meet the demands allowing Muslims to eat it,” Alexey Alexeyenko, assistant to the head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, said in a report published by the Mi’Raj Islamic News Agency.
Alexeyenko said he believes the export of halal poultry from Russia is a promising trend, not only because growth in the halal market would help further increase poultry production in Russia, but also because it could help create new jobs in Russia.
Rosselkhoznadzor stated that as of June 2014, all meat produced in Russia was officially certified as halal, but by the year 2020, as much as 20 percent of the meat and poultry produced in Russia could gain halal certification as the largest agricultural holdings plan to start production of halal poultry, beef or mutton.

Ukrainian group MHP triples poultry export sales

Ukrainian agribusiness group MHP tripled the number of poultry export sales during the second quarter and first half of 2013 when compared to the same time periods of 2012. The company reported a total of 54,750 metric tons of poultry meat exported during the first half of 2013.
The jump in poultry exports is part of the company's strategy, as it continues to explore new business opportunities in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
In addition to increasing its export sales, MHP increased its poultry production volume during the second quarter of 2013 and in turn increased its poultry sales for the same period by 13 percent when compared to the first half of 2012. Sales have been estimated at 205,300 metric tons for the first six months of 2013.
During the first half of 2013, the MHP's poultry facilities worked at full capacity. At the same time, all production sites at its Vinnytsia complex have been increasing production volumes. During the first quarter, production increased by 21 percent to 121,170 metric tons, and during the first half, production increased by 18 percent to 224,590 metric tons. 

Russia hopes to export poultry to EU in coming months

Russia may start supplying poultry meat to the European Union in the upcoming months, Russian Agriculture Minister, Nikolai Fyodorov announced at a recent news conference at the Green Week 2013 international agro-industrial exhibition in Berlin.
Fyodorov stated that some facilities in the Moscow region, Siberia and the Urals are prepared to start the deliveries, but an agreement on prices had not yet been reached.
Russian poultry farms gained access to the European market after Russia joined the World Trade Organization in 2012, removing the earlier set barriers to Russian deliveries. 

Russia poultry producers mixed over entry into World Trade Organization

Some Russian poultry producers have expressed concerns over the country's upcoming entry into the World Trade Organization, saying that the resulting slashed customs duties on imported goods will create competition from foreign markets that will cause challenges for domestic businesses.
In particular, farmers are looking at potential goods coming from the U.S., Brazilian and European markets. Right now, they say, 90 percent of the poultry consumed in Russia is produced domestically, but once the country's entrance into the World Trade Organization is finalized later in the summer, smaller farmers may not be able to compete with the influx of foreign options.
The government, which over the last years has launched a drive aimed at realizing Russia's under-exploited agricultural potential, also seems to acknowledge potential problems. According to sources, government members are holding meetings every week on the issue.

Russian poultry exports may quadruple in 2011

Russian poultry exports for 2011 may increase by three to four times from last year's 15,000 metric tons, according to the Russian Poultry Producers Union.
The country's total output is currently estimated to hit 3.2 million tons this year, up 300,000 tons from 2010. Kazakhstan and China, the main buyers of Russian poultry, are expected to account for a significant percentage of those numbers.

Russia to up poultry, pork exports

Russia’s agriculture minister said the country wants to export 60 times more pork and poultry by 2020. Yelena Skrynnik, quoted in a Moscow Times report, said Russia is reducing reliance on meat imports and building its food security with the goal.
In February, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a new food security doctrine calling for 85 percent of all meat consumed in the country to be produced domestically within 10 years. Already one of the world’s largest meat importers, Russia could lead meat production if it builds its systems.