On November 14, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Almost two-thirds of wild berries and agricultural products procured by cooperators of the Vitebsk region have been purchased from the public this year, Viktor Shulyak, First Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Consumer Union, told a BELTA correspondent. By the end of January-October, the region's consumer cooperation enterprises paid producers and collectors Br137 billion, of which Br95 billion was received by the public. As Viktor Shulyak emphasized, the latter figure is very important for cooperators, as it represents additional income for the population, mainly for rural residents. The amount paid to the public increased by 15% compared to the same period in 2010. Currently, cooperators continue to purchase agricultural products. 15% more potatoes have been purchased in ten months. Compared to last year, 16 times more cranberries and lingonberries, blueberries and bilberries have been purchased – 4.2 times more, and more mushrooms have been procured. As Viktor Shulyak noted, the growth in procurement volumes was facilitated not only by the weather but also by the resolution of organizational issues related to procurement. Firstly, since the beginning of the season, purchase prices have been significantly increased, and cooperators have been able to use loans for timely settlements with the public. Secondly, the number of procurement staff has increased. Along with 272 full-time employees, 150 seasonal procurement agents with personal vehicles have been involved in purchases. This has made it possible to organize the acceptance of berries and mushrooms from the public directly in the forest. Consumer cooperators 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, while the majority of stocks are deep-frozen and will be exported to Russia, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic States in accordance with concluded agreements. In addition, Vitebsk consumer cooperation is an active participant in fairs of Belarusian products in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the regions of the Russian Federation bordering Belarus. Cooperators of the region have already received over $3 million from the sale of products abroad. -0-

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