18 September, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The reception and procurement points of the Vitebsk Regional Union of Consumer Societies have switched to an extended working schedule, Nina Onishchik, Head of the Procurement and Foreign Economic Activity Department of the Regional Union of Consumer Societies, told a BELTA correspondent. At the height of the procurement season, surplus agricultural products or forest berries and mushrooms can be handed over in the region until 8:00 PM. Along with procurement points, consumer cooperation stores are also involved in purchasing from the public. In sparsely populated villages without stationary retail outlets, mobile procurement agents operate. The mobile shops provide all necessary information on the terms and prices of procurement, and the vendors of mobile shops accept orders for apples. Despite the fact that the Vitebsk region has the lowest apple yield this year compared to other regions, 11.3 thousand tons have already been procured against a planned 14 thousand tons. In addition, cooperators have purchased 30% more blueberries from the public than last year, procured over 100 tons of cranberries, and are preparing for the harvest of late mushrooms – milk-caps and autumn honey fungus. The procured apples are sent to the region's processing enterprises, while forest berries are readily purchased in Russia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Over 120 tons of berries have already been exported. -0-

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