OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus' food exports grew 16% year on year in 2013 to USD 5.8 billion, Agriculture Minister Leonid Zayats told reporters.

The minister assured that Belarus full saturated the domestic market with high-quality foods and exported surplus foodstuffs to the tine of USD 5.8 million.

Belarus ended up with a USD 2.5 surplus in food trade, the minister informed.

Agricultural companies account for 9% of Belarus' GDP. Along with processing companies, agricultural enterprises account for 9% of Belarus' GDP.

The minister believes USD 5.8 billion is not a ceiling for Belarus' food exports. The official announced plans to increase exports of poultry, eggs, pork and further expand exports of dairy products.