Alexander Tkachev said that the year 2017 was a year of records for the agro-industrial complex of the country and drew attention to a number of key tasks in the current year.

"Manufacture APK for 2014-2016 has increased by more than 11% (11.3 percent), this year we also expect a high growth rate. On the current date are collected 140,2 million tons of grain in bunker weight, mean net weight grain harvest will exceed to 130.5 million tons. On 13 Dec 2017 already exported 24.5 million tons of grain, 34% higher than a year earlier. As you can see, exports are growing at an unprecedented rate, which reduces pressure on the domestic market. It is encouraging that a number of regions managed to carry out effective work in this direction, however, it is important to accelerate the work on subsidizing of railway transportation of grain," - said the Minister.

Wheat exports from the beginning of the season amounted to 19.1 million tonnes, which is 33% higher than the 2016/2017 crop year (14 of 317 thousand tonnes), barley – 3 214 thousand tons, which is 1.8 times above the level of the 2016/2017 crop year (1 797 thsd tonnes), maize – 2 054 thousand tons, which is 0.2% higher than last season (2 051 thousand tonnes), other crops – 159 thousand tons, which is 33.4% higher than last season (119 thousand tons).

The meeting participants discussed the questions of introduction of electronic certification in 2018 and collaboration with the Rosselkhoznadzor in this direction, the implementation of Federal scientific and technological programme of development of agriculture for the 2017-2025 years and measures to support exports.

"It is necessary to take progressive steps to contain and prevent the spread of African swine fever in the regions of Russia. Today there are a number of positive results, the developed regulatory-legal base, which will contribute to the solution of this issue" - said the Minister.

The participants also discussed the upcoming national meeting at the end of 2017 and plans for 2018 with the participation of regions, which will be held December 15 in the Ministry of agriculture of Russia.

Photo: moltrans.com