20 August, Minsk /Tatyana Lobas - BELTA/. The Republican Association of Potato and Fruit and Vegetable Producers "Kartofelplodoovoshch" and Belkoopsoyuz have received an urgent order to supply 40 thousand tons of potatoes to Russian regions, as reported to BELTA correspondent by the Association's General Director Alexander Yarokhovich.
Agricultural organizations with a high level of potato production are being identified, which can ship it in large batches (at least 1 thousand tons per agricultural enterprise) during September-October.
"Previously, it was planned to export at least 50 thousand tons of potatoes and 20 thousand tons of vegetables in the 2010-2011 season. These volumes have already been contracted by specialized farms within the association. However, due to the poor harvest of potatoes and vegetable crops in central Russia, the demand for potatoes and vegetables has arisen today, and Russian wholesale companies are ready to purchase them without waiting for the end of storage for the off-season," explained Alexander Yarokhovich. In all likelihood, potato purchases will increase several times.
Currently, Belarusian potato-growing farms are supplying early and mid-season potatoes to Russian regions, with late varieties to be supplied in the second half of September. The most active exporters of potatoes are SPK "Agro-Motol" of Ivanovo district, OJSC "Otechestvo" of Pruzhany, ZAO "Shchara-Agro" of Baranovichi district of Brest region, KSUP "Vostok" of Gomel district, and Tolochin Cannery of Vitebsk region.
"Of course, first of all, farms must procure potatoes for Belarus's domestic needs and lay down at least 54.8 thousand tons in stabilization funds, and only then ship them for export. But this year, the market dictates all the conditions. The potato harvest in Belarus has been good, and free resources are clearly visible. There is confidence that domestic supplies will be ensured, so export schedules are being drawn up. Dozens of heavy trucks are already waiting for potatoes," notes the specialist.
An agreement has been reached with the food resources department of the Moscow government on the supply of potatoes, carrots, and onions. Through the "Kartofelplodoovoshch" association, it is planned to centrally ship 20 thousand tons of potatoes and 10 thousand tons of vegetables to Moscow. Belarusian farms can ship part of the produce independently, under direct contracts.
Over 30 thousand tons of potatoes and 10 thousand tons of vegetables will be sent to Saint Petersburg, Murmansk, Kaliningrad, and Karelia. Alongside product shipment to Russia, the association intends to organize supplies to Moldova and Ukraine. In particular, issues and terms for potato supply to Kherson and Crimea have already been worked out and agreed upon.
Trading companies of Tatarstan have also approached Belarusian agricultural producers with a request to purchase potatoes and vegetables. They are ready to purchase them in consistently high volumes from September of the current year to March 2011. Transportation and logistics terms are being specified. Most likely, it will be combined transportation. Trucks that bring goods from Tatarstan to Belarus will be loaded with potatoes here.
The Republican Association of Potato and Fruit and Vegetable Producers "Kartofelplodoovoshch" was established in July 2007, and the agro-trading house under the association in October of the same year. The association includes over 100 farms participating in the potato growing development program. -0-
BELTA