October 19, Minsk /BelTA Correspondent/. The Vitebsk and Mogilev regions have completed the laying of potatoes into stabilization funds for the 2012/2013 inter-season period, exceeding the plan. This was reported to BelTA by Svetlana Slinko, Head of the Food Products Department of the Ministry of Trade. As of October 19, the Vitebsk region had laid down 10.9 thousand tons of potatoes above the established quota (1.8 times more), and the Mogilev region - 1.5 thousand tons. In total, 68.8 thousand tons of potatoes, or 102% of the government's target, have been laid down in the stabilization funds in the regions and Minsk. The Vitebsk region has also exceeded its targets for other items. In particular, 1.7 thousand tons of fruit (twice as much), 0.3 thousand tons of carrots and 0.8 thousand tons of onions (1.2 times more), and 1.6 thousand tons of cabbage have been procured. In total, across the republic, 11.5 thousand tons of cabbage (33% of the target), 9.2 thousand tons of carrots (52%), 7.4 thousand tons of beetroot (56%), 10.5 thousand tons of bulb onions (61%), and 11.5 thousand tons of fruit (72%) have been laid down for the inter-season period. As the department head noted, work on creating food reserves for the inter-season period is ongoing and will be completed within the timeframe set by the government. Svetlana Slinko reminded that in order to fully provide the population with crop products of the current harvest, agricultural fairs are held weekly in the regions and Minsk, with the participation of agricultural producers of the republic, as well as individuals. 1256 fairs have already been held, at which approximately 15 thousand tons of fruit and vegetable products have been sold. -0-

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