In 2012 Belarus plans to export agricultural products worth $5 billion, Minister of Agriculture and Food Mikhail Rusyi said at a government session.

This year, the industry will be working to strengthen its positions in traditional markets and will seek to expand into new ones. “In particular we are interested in the markets of Iran, Egypt, Indonesia,” said Mikhail Rusyi. Particular attention will be given to agricultural export to EU countries. Export to this market is expected to make up around $100 million this year.

In addition to traditional export items, there are plans to export more potatoes, vegetables and fruits, the minister said.

Analyzing the challenges facing the ministry this year, Mikhail Rusyi said that the main attention will be paid to the quality indicators of the industry performance, reduction of production costs and rational use of resources. There are plans to construct 104 new dairy farms and upgrade 1198 farms, build 10 new facilities and retrofit 80 existing facilities in the poultry industry. Two new hog-breeding facilities will be built, and 6 existing ones revamped. In 2012 milk production is projected to increase by 11% from last year to 6.5 million tonnes.

More efforts will be taken to raise foreign direct investment on a net basis. This year the target is to raise $25 million in agriculture, and $74 million more into the manufacture of food products. Proceeds from the sale of goods and services are expected to increase 1.8 times, return on sales to go up 5%, productivity of labor 6%. According to Mikhail Rusyi, the industry will seek to reach the targets and make the project efficient.

Belta