Belarus continues to deliver dairy products to Russia from European milk
Belarusians aim to gain from trade with Russia. Officials, by force of habit, hastened to increase the floor export prices in autumn. But they appeared to be too high in comparison with market prices. Now vendors are compelled to trade generally under «gray» schemes.
Last month it was much said about Belarusian re-export and possible transit of banned products through Belarus to Russia. Both the customs and the government do not conceal a presence of those ways of transportation. At the same time Russian and Belarusian officials assure that everything is under control — there are no re-export and contraband.
According to official statistics, production of milk in Belarus at last shows positive results, generally due to September figures.
National Statistical Committee of Belarus reported that in January-September 2014 all types of farms produced 5.124 mio tonnes of milk, which was 0.5% less, than a year ago. September production made 566.4 thousand tonnes, up 2.8% from September 2013, and down 7.2% from August, 2014.
There is strange coincidence: increase of production began along with import of milk from Poland and the Baltic States in September. At the same time the information about mass bankruptcy of agricultural enterprises appears more often.
Belarusian officials may be answerable in few months for «imaginary» figures. After all, import of raw milk from Europe can become unprofitable soon with regard to situation on Russian market.
Sales at Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE) gradually came to naught in October.
Milk powder and butter have not been traded for long time there. Activity in cheese trade still had been observed, but sales were stopped in this category also after the next increase of indicatives on October 16.
The Ministry of Agriculture has increased indicative (floor export) prices for cheese by 5 rubles since October 29. Exporters are also allowed to sell big volumes of SMP at RUB 140/kg.
Now indicatives are at: SMP — RUB 160/kg, WMP — RUB 175/kg, butter 72.5% fat content — RUB 180/kg, butter 82.5% fat content — RUB 205/kg, 45% fat content cheese — RUB 220/kg, 50% fat content cheese — RUB 225/kg, whey powder — RUB 60/kg.
Belarusian officials will probably be allowed to lower indicatives only in spring, therefore producers would stockpile the products, at least until renewal of Russian demand.