Welsh red meat takes on Russia
The three-day trip, led by Welsh red meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) will be the end of a negotiation process with Russian authorities following a trip by Russian inspectors to Wales last year.
HCC chief executive Gwyn Howells said: “Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russia’s economy has grown enormously and, with it, the demands of its citizens. Just like in the emerging economies of the Far East, Russian consumers are becoming increasingly prosperous. They therefore look for high-quality food products, both in their shops and in restaurants. Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef both fit the bill perfectly.”
Additionally, there will be a reception for potential customers in the British Embassy, which will be attended by industry people including processing companies and HCC and will be hosted by the British Ambassador to Russia and Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport.
Howells expressed his wish to see Welsh Beef on the shelves in Russia too, although Russia operates a tariff quota system for beef imports.
For sheep imports, no such restrictions apply. Howells explained: “This is good news for the Welsh sheep industry, which has the potential to export significant quantities of Welsh Lamb to the country on an annual basis.”
Exporting to the Russian market is important because Russia is one of the world’s biggest importers of beef.
Howells added: “Once the Russian Federation agrees to imports of Welsh red meat it will mean we can also export our produce to Belarus and Kazakhstan, which along with Russia are members of the Customs Union trade group.”
