President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has praised an upgraded feed mill during a recent visit to the east of the country.
Located in the eastern district of Shklov, the newly updated facility is already producing feeds for poultry, cattle and sheep.
According to BelTA, the news agency for the Belarusian agriculture ministry, the facility has recently been upgraded, with automation of its production lines.
Furthermore, equipment has been added to facilitate the drying and processing of some raw materials, which include corn and rapeseed. For example, the plant is now able to crush rapeseed to produce rapeseed oil, as well as meal for inclusion in feeds.
During the visit, the president expressed his approval of the factory’s efficiency.
He also urged the feed company to strike a balance between the profitability of its own operations, and that of its local grain suppliers.
With the construction of the facility nearing completion, the president also praised the company’s plan to open its café to everyone.
Trade sanctions impact Belarusian feed sector
One year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was reported that the feed industry of Belarus was experiencing additional challenges. The country’s support for Russia’s action in 2022 had led to Belarus being included with Russia in Western trade sanctions.
Previously with ambitions to gain a share of the European Union (EU) market, exports of Belarusian National Biotechnological Corporation (BNBC) to the bloc were capped at that time. This put an upper limit on the group’s plan for exports of amino acids, wheat gluten, and other feed products to the EU. Additionally, logistical difficulties held back the corporation’s access to the Chinese market.
A more positive development for BNBC was reported by BelTA in August. At that time. BNBC was among the nation’s biotech companies exploring opportunities to export product to the Russian region of Chelyabinsk. Belarusian firms had previously expressed the intention to build partnerships in order to export livestock equipment and breeding stock to this oblast is in the Ural Mountains in central-western Russia.
Earlier this year, the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament voted in favor of increasing EU tariffs by 50% for agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not already covered by customs duties.
“This regulation to gradually increase customs duties for products from Russia and Belarus will help to prevent Russia from using the EU market to finance its war machine,” said a spokesperson. “It is not acceptable that three years after Russia launched its full-scale war, the EU is still buying critical products in large volumes; in fact, these imports have significantly increased.”
