OREANDA-NEWS. July 05, 2012. Belarus needs to move fruit wine production to large wineries with qualified staff and sophisticated production facilities, chief of Belgospischeprom Concern Ivan Danchenko told reporters on Wednesday.

Belgospischeprom is Belarus’ state-owned food industries concern.

In order to sustain high quality standards of wine production, fruit wines should be produced solely at large wineries in Pinsk, Tolochin, Gomel, Slonim and Bobruisk, Danchenko said in a report at a forum of alcohol producers in Minsk.

In turn, small companies should be reoriented to produce juices and soft beverages, Danchenko said.

At the moment, Belarus is waging a war against cheap low-quality fruit wines, which is branded as a crime catalyst and a health risk for cheap wine enthusiasts. There are restrictions regarding fruit wine production and sales in 52 of 118 Belarus’ districts.

At the same time, an outright ban on the production of low-quality fruit wines may cause social unrest, Danchenko said. Therefore, companies, which are capable of producing competitive products, should be given a chance in other sectors, he said.

As reported by Belarus’ State Statistics Committee, fruit wine production reduced 28.7% on the year in Jan-Apr 2012 to 4.627 million decalitres. The share of low-quality fruit wines brands is currently under 3%, which makes experts to believe that cheap fruit wine will shortly become extinct in Belarus.