Russian meat giant sets sights on Asia
According to the company’s management, the initial export focus will be on pork exports to Hong Kong and Vietnam, although other markets will follow.
“We see the potential in Asian markets: Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia. There is a good demand for a wide range of processed pork products, including those that are not in demand in Russia,” said Miratorg president Victor Linnik.
The company started supplying pork to the Asian market at the end of 2011 and is currently the largest Russian exporter of this type of meat in the region. The volume of supply to Hong Kong – the largest importer of Russian pork – is gradually growing: from 752t in the second half of 2012 to 953t in the first half of 2013, and 2,885t projected for second half of the year.
Thus, the company plans to increase the supply of pork to Hong Kong to 3,838mt in 2013, which is 2.5 times more than in 2012.
Miratorg added that the Russian authorities were helping it obtain the special certification needed to gain access to south-east Asian markets.
“To start the delivery of our products, our enterprises need certification from the veterinary authorities of these countries. To resolve this issue we are currently working together with Rosselkhoznadzor and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture,” added Linnik.
In addition, Miratorg plans to become a large beef exporter in the years ahead, with first deliveries due to be sent by mid-2014.
“The volume of foreign sales could reach 15% of the planned production or 130,000t. The main sales markets for our beef products could be Japan, South Korea, China and Europe. We are already working with them as importers; we buy some products there and know many traders,” Linnik explained.
