15 July, Minsk /Tatyana Lobas - BELTA/. Belarusian food industry enterprises increased their output by 9.4% in the first half of the current year compared to the same period last year, reaching Br11 trillion 304.5 billion, the National Statistical Committee informed BELTA correspondent.
This growth was mainly driven by increased production volumes in the oil and fat, sugar, meat, and dairy industries. The most significant production growth was achieved in the sugar industry – by 56.6% to Br644.7 billion, and in the oil and fat sector – by 19.6% to Br254.3 billion. The output of fruit and vegetable products significantly increased – by 25.3% to Br171.1 billion. In the meat industry, products worth Br2 trillion 658.7 billion were produced, which is 10.6% more compared to the first half of last year. Products worth Br3 trillion 995.4 billion were produced in the butter and dairy industry (2.6% more).
The confectionery sector is operating steadily, with production increasing by 2.1% to Br422.2 billion. In the fishing industry, production increased by 6.8% to Br377.6 billion, and in the tobacco industry, product volumes increased by 20.1% to Br456 billion.
At the same time, production decreased in the baking industry by 1.7% to Br630.9 billion, and in the brewing industry – by 1.3% to Br381.9 billion.
In the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year, the production of meat and offal of the first category in natural terms increased by 7.3% to 283.8 thousand tons, whole milk products – by 11.9% to 716.4 thousand tons, granulated sugar – by 56.5% to 321.7 thousand tons, vegetable oil – by 36.8% to 49.9 thousand tons. The output of fruit and vegetable preserves increased by 33.5% to 186.4 million conventional cans, 7.5% more sausages and smoked products were produced – 120.7 thousand tons, champagne output increased by 14.6% to 643 thousand decaliters, fish and seafood – by 6.8% to 23.3 thousand tons. Cheese production increased by 4% to 71.4 thousand tons, milk preserves by 38.6% to 155.4 million conventional cans, grape wines by 10.1% to 991 thousand decaliters. In the first half of the year, beer output increased by 7.7% to 17.9 million decaliters. The production of non-alcoholic beverages increased by 6.8% to 16.3 million decaliters.
Production of bread and bakery products in the first half of the year amounted to 259.8 thousand tons, a decrease of 1.7% compared to January-June of the previous year. 7.1 million decaliters of vodka and alcoholic beverages were produced, which is 0.8% more than in the same period last year. Butter production decreased by 14.9% to 50.8 thousand tons. Production of canned fish decreased by 11.1% to 6.7 million conventional cans.
Inventories of finished products of food industry enterprises as of July 1, 2010, amounted to Br1 trillion 121.4 billion (60.5% of the average monthly production volume). The largest increase in inventories was recorded for sugar – by 2 times to 108 thousand tons, and cognac – by 3.7 times to 74 thousand decaliters. Inventories of champagne and sparkling wines amounted to 194 thousand decaliters (181% of the average monthly production volume). There are also 75.5 million conventional cans of fruit and vegetable preserves in stock (267.75% of the average monthly production volume).
BELTA