Russian milk and oils imports sharply increased
According to Federal Service of State Statistics (Rosstat), Russian import of milk powder increased almost twice during the first half of the current year compared to the same period of 2012 and reached 47 thousand tons.
Import of vegetable oils, including palm and coconut, also increased. Supplies of sunflower, safflower and cottonseed oils totaled 8 thousand tons, what is two times more compared to the same period of the previous year. Import of palm oil and its fractions reached 334 thousand tons, up 25%.
Experts link the increased imports with Russia’s WTO accession. As a result, prices for dairy products and butter in Russia decreased, approximately by 5-10%. The increased import may cause negative impact on local market, believe experts from National Dairy Producers Union. Russian producers are forced to lower prices for their products while the raw milk deficiency is increasing. Price decrease becomes possible by means of commercial milk cost increase.
