MOSCOW, March 2nd – The Russian government is discussing a reduction in import taxes on poultry meat from Brazil if other measures to limit price increases do not help, a source in the industry told Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
On Tuesday,the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting with the largest enterprises of the poultry industry, at which, in particular, the issues of rising prices for poultry and eggs in Russia were discussed.
“At the meeting, in particular, it was noted that as a possible stabilization measure, the government is discussing a reduction in import duty on poultry meat from Brazil, which is one of the main suppliers of these products. This measure can be taken if other decisions are not enough. “, – one of the meeting participants told RIA Novosti.
The Ministry of Agriculture has previously proposed a number of support measures that will preserve the financial stability of producers and stabilize prices. Thus, the ministry plans to increase the limit on preferential short-term loans for poultry companies to 1.5 billion rubles (US$20.4 billion) from 1 billion per borrower and to prolong preferential investment loans to enterprises affected by bird flu for up to 12 years.
To stimulate the production of hatching eggs in the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Agriculture is discussing a phased increase in the import duty on them: up to 5% from zero from January 1, 2022 and up to 15% from 2023.
At the same time, the possibility of reimbursing capital costs for the construction and modernization of facilities for the production of hatching eggs from 2022 is being considered. Another support measure can be compensation for part of the costs per 1 kilogram of manufactured and sold products.
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According to the interlocutor of RIA Novosti, the government is concerned about the rise in prices for poultry and eggs – these are the most accessible types of animal protein for the population.
“Last year, the demand for these products increased significantly, while the volume of its production in January-February of this year decreased due to outbreaks of avian influenza in several regions of the country,” – said a representative of the industry.
“The resulting imbalance in supply and demand pushes prices for poultry products up, which the government considers unacceptable against the background of a decrease in the purchasing power of the population,” – added a meeting participant.
