For this year, the plan for the export of agricultural products of the Russian Federation is $ 28 billion - head of the Ministry of Agriculture

For 2021, the plan for the EXPORT of agricultural products of the Russian Federation is $ 28 billion, said today the HEAD of the Ministry of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev at a meeting of the final board of the ministry.

"For the current year, the target figure for exports will increase from $26 billion to $28 billion," he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture predicted that the export of agricultural products in 2021 will be about $30 billion.

Last year, exports amounted to $30.5 billion and for the first time exceeded imports ($29.7 billion).

"Even despite the covid-19 restrictions, we are strengthening our positions in world markets. In 2020, the volume of deliveries to foreign markets increased by almost 20% and exceeded $30.5 billion, which is higher than the plan. Thus, for the first time, Russian agricultural exports exceeded imports," Patrushev said.

According to him, in 2020, almost all sectors of the agro-industrial complex showed an increase, but fish exports slightly decreased. “This is precisely the reason for the pandemic. To level the situation, we are conducting a dialogue with our key importer, CHINA, and we are also opening alternative distribution channels,” Patrushev said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, exports of MEAT and dairy products increased by 36.4%, grain - by 28.3%, oil and fat products - by 11.9%, food and processing industry products - by 12.7%.

In general, work on opening new markets in 2020 did not stop, as a result, the right to supply 41 new types of products to 25 countries was obtained, Patrushev said.

"The development of a network of agricultural attaches will also help strengthen the position of the Russian agricultural industry abroad. Some of them have already begun their duties. We plan that by the end of the year our representatives will appear in 39 countries of the world," he said.

He also noted that the agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation needs to increase the export of products with high added value. In 2020, its share in the export structure amounted to 15%, and, "of course, the potential here is more impressive," the minister said.

Mikhail Mishustin: demand for Russian products abroad is growing

"The increase in export potential is evidence of the sustainable growth of the agro-industrial complex as a whole. In the 90s, RUSSIA even imported grain. Now grains are the main export position. The success of farmers and state support allow us to systematically change the vector exclusively from grain exports, strengthening other areas. We especially emphasize attention to products with high added value," the head of the Ministry of Agriculture added.