On August 8, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Cooperatives of the Vitebsk region paid out almost Br106 billion to the population for agricultural products and forest gifts handed over in January-July of the current year. Compared to the same period last year, the population's revenue increased by 30%, Viktor Shulyak, First Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Union of Consumer Societies, informed a BELTA correspondent. This season, procurement agents have already collected 523 tons of blueberries, exceeding last year's figure by a third. Bilberries procured are 40% more than in the first seven months of last year, and mushrooms are 10% more. The population has started handing over early potatoes and apples. Last year, 13 thousand tons of apples were purchased, but this year, cooperatives hope to procure more. As Viktor Shulyak noted, the growth in procurement volumes was facilitated not only by the berry and mushroom-rich summer but also by the resolution of organizational procurement issues. Firstly, procurement prices were increased from the beginning of the season. Secondly, the number of procurement agents has increased. Alongside full-time employees working in 1700 procurement offices and consumer cooperative stores, over 300 seasonal procurement agents with their own vehicles have been involved in working with the population. This allows for the organisation of berry and mushroom acceptance from the population directly at the collection points, in populated areas. Vitebsk cooperatives fully satisfy the orders of JSC "Vitebsk Fruit and Vegetable Processing Plant" for berries for the production of baby food. Some of the procured products go to other processing enterprises, however, the main part of the reserves is deep-frozen and will be sent for export.

BELTA