Belarus is investing a lot of work into modernizing the dairy business and growing export supply, Belarussian Agricultural and Food Minister Sergey Bartosh told local official news station STV.
According to Bartosh, Belarus intends to extend its variety with new dairy products in order to increase its export potential.
“We intend to make cheese with white and blue mold.” Other goods are in the works as well. Whey protein concentrate, for example, is in great demand among athletes. Lactoferrin is likewise in high demand, with a market worth of more than $400 million today, according to Bartosh.
Dairy exports are increasing.
Belarussian dairy exports are increasing this year, according to Bartosh, who did not provide specific figures. The effect of Western sanctions on Belarus has been minimal. Earlier this year, the Belarussian Agricultural Ministry claimed a 50% increase in dairy exports to Poland and Western European nations; however, no specific numbers were provided.
He asserted that the issues that arose when the initial limits were introduced had been rectified. Currently, considerable volumes of output are sent to Russia and China, and efforts are ongoing to develop new markets.
“The first 100 tonnes of our milk powder have already arrived in Cuba, and they are interested in [our] cheeses and butter,” said Bartosh, adding that Belarussian dairy producers are increasingly competing with European suppliers in several areas.
“Equatorial Guinea is also interested in our products.” They import dairy goods from Europe via aircraft,” Bartosh said, adding that European dairy products are less competitive in terms of price when compared to those of Belarussian origin.
In general, Belarussian dairy firms want to expand into more remote areas, he said.
Modernization of industry
Belarus also intends to reduce manufacturing costs further in the next years. A government plan calls for at least ten new modern dairy facilities to be established in each area by 2025. In all, the nation intends to establish 140 dairy farms in the next years.
Bartosh recalled that Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko had insisted that no milk be produced in ancient milk farms by the end of 2025. According to the minister, the replacement of aging capabilities with new farms is moving at full speed.
