Botswana manufacturers aim to increase beef volumes to Russia
In discussions during the 86th General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health in Paris, Russian veterinary body Rosselkhoznadzor’s deputy head Konstantin Savenkov met with G Modisa, Botswana’s director of Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Safety, to deliberate the possibility of increasing beef supplies to the Russia.
During the discussions, representatives from Botswana explained that the production of livestock products was one of the main directions of the country’s agricultural sector and that the country was willing to invite Russian specialists to conduct inspections of beef establishments in Botswana during 2018.
Modisa added that he was interested in imports of vaccines and medicines for animals from the Russian Federation, and stressed the importance of sharing experiences between Botswana and Russian scientists in the field of veterinary medicine.
Rosselkhoznadzor responded by explaining the step-by-step system for access of livestock products to the Russian market, the first stage of which is an assessment of the veterinary surveillance system in the country interested in supplying its products to Russia.
According to Russia’s National Meat Association chairman Sergey Yushin, foreign investment in Russia’s meat industry has reduced substantially, although the trend is primarily associated with the saturation seen on the domestic meat market.
However, Yushin added that the flow of investment into Russia from overseas could begin growing again in future, given the Russian meat industry’s strong export potential.
