Belarus Yields on "Milk Issue" to Russia

Additional solutions to the issue of Belarusian dairy products supply on the Russian market were taken during consultations among the agricultural departments of Russia and Belarus, the National Union of Milk Producers (Souzmoloko), the ministry of Agriculture and Foodstuffs of Belarus.

The parties intend to agree on the recommended base price for the Russian market once every two weeks and present the results of monitoring on the implementation of basic prices and supply-and-demand forecast for milk and dairy products for this year. Belarus Ministry of Agriculture admits that such measures may also be taken for other products, primarily for butter.

Supplies of whole milk powder and whey powder from Belarus to Russia get suspended in accordance with the balances for milk and dairy products, however, they may be resumed by mutual consent, reported the Belarusian Ministry of Agriculture.

By agreement, the Russian side will make proposals on tariff protection of certain types of dairy products in the Eurasian Economic Commission.

As Telegraf previously reported, the Russian National Union of Milk Producers (Souzmoloko) suggested banning imports of dry milk and dry whey from Belarus to Russia until the end of 2012. Souzmoloko demands making adjustments to the balance of trade and improving the indicative prices for imports of butter and skimmed milk from Belarus.

February 21, Minister of Agriculture of Russia Elena Skrynnik stated that the whole milk powder and whey couldn’t be removed from the balance of the Belarusian-Russian trade in milk and dairy products in 2012, as agreed under the CU forms and levels of support.

After this, February 22, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Belarus Nadezhda Kotkovets said that Belarus was ready to adjust the indicative prices and volumes of supplies of dairy products on the Russian market.