OREANDA-NEWS In Russia, meat consumption may increase to 83 kg per person per year in 2024. This forecast was made by the head of the National Meat Association (NMA) Sergey Yushin at the round table "10 years of counter-sanctions in agriculture".

In 2023, consumption was 80 kg.

"Since 2014, meat consumption has been steadily increasing, even in those years when disposable incomes of the population decreased, meat consumption increased as one of the most economically affordable products. This year we will exceed even the average level of consumption in rich countries, reaching 83 kg per person per year," Yushin said.

Moreover, next year, according to his forecast, "the consumption of poultry and pork meat will be equal precisely because the economic accessibility of these types of meat is ensured." "If they used to eat "Bush legs", then Russian poultry, then today more "status" meat - pork - is consumed. At one time it was more expensive, now it has become more affordable," Yushin said.

According to the NMA forecast, in 2024 poultry meat production will increase to 5.3 million tons against 5.27 million tons in 2023, pork - to 4.95 million tons from 4.729 million tons, beef - to 1.67 million tons against 1.648 million tons, respectively. In terms of poultry and pork production, the Russian Federation is in 4th place in the world, beef is in the top 10.

High positions in the production of turkey meat are also the second place in the world. As Yushin noted, currently Russia almost does not import turkey meat and is its only supplier to the Chinese market. After the introduction of prodembargo, in fact, such an industry as turkey farming was created from scratch. "From 100 thousand tons produced in 2014, production increased to 422 thousand tons in 2023 and this year, according to forecasts, it will amount to 440 thousand tons," the head of the NMA said.

At the same time, the foreign trade turnover of meat and meat products has changed significantly. As stated in the presentation of the IA, if in 2014 its imports to Russia amounted to almost 2 million tons, exports - only 135 thousand tons, then in 2023 exports increased to 800 thousand tons, and imports decreased to 640 thousand tons. "If we count all types of meat, as well as offal, finished products and live cattle, then last year we supplied 1 million tons worth $2 billion to the world market," Yushin said, adding that Russia has been a stable net exporter of meat for the past four years.

According to him, Russian meat is supplied to more than 60 countries around the world. "These countries are located on different continents, including countries even beyond the equator. For example, Russia supplies poultry meat, the same turkey, as well as pork to Angola. Our products are so in demand and competitive that even this is possible," he said.

Yushin also believes that the Chinese market opens up great opportunities for Russian manufacturers. This country can become a key partner in this area, but it is equally important to expand "meat cooperation" with the countries of South Asia and Africa, he said.

The embargo was introduced by Presidential Decree of August 6, 2014 (No. 560) "On the application of certain special economic measures to ensure the security of the Russian Federation." At that time, the import of agricultural products and food to the Russian Federation from countries that imposed or supported anti-Russian sanctions in connection with the annexation of Crimea was banned. The list of prohibited items includes, in particular, meat and meat products.