On the situation of and developments in animal production in Russia.

摘要

Between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2003, the number of cattle on Russian farms of all categories fell by 5.6%, compared with decreases of 2.1% in 2002 and 0.7% in 2001. One factor contributing to increased slaughter rates for both dairy and beef cattle was the shortage of feeds and their high cost. If slaughter rates remain at such high levels, it is considered that Russia will become increasingly dependent on meat imports, despite measures introduced to restrict these imports. Pig numbers also fell in 2003 - by 4.8%, compared with growth of 8.6% in 2002. Number of sheep and goat continued to increase in 2003, but the 1.1% growth was less than the 4-5% growth recorded in 2002 and 2001. Poultry numbers have remained relatively steady since 2001, with an increase in the proportion of meat breeds being evident. In 2003, sales of livestock and poultry for slaughter increased by 4.7%, while egg production grew by only 0.4% and milk production fell by 0.6%. Pork and poultry meat are accounting for an increasing proportion of meat production, while beef is declining in importance. New measures introduced in 2003 with the aim of reducing meat imports appear to have been successful, with imports of fresh and frozen meat falling by 7.2% between 2002 and 2003, and poultry meat imports falling by 16.3%. While the reduction in meat imports opens up opportunities for growth in Russian production, these opportunities are limited by feed shortages.