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MOSCOW, January 23 The Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation will take all measures to ensure that dairy products in the country remain affordable; producers should also monitor the dynamics and prevent a sharp increase, said the Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev during the 25th congress of the National Union of Milk Producers.
“We, of course, are all interested in the development of the dairy industry, but for us the main priority is the availability of the products that you produce for the population. Therefore, we will take all steps to ensure that dairy products always remain accessible,” Patrushev said.
The minister asked milk producers not to allow sharp price increases, otherwise the ministry would have to take unpopular measures.
“Of course, we are focused on the need to maintain stability in the domestic market without any sharp fluctuations, so everyone should, dear colleagues, understand that if necessary, if our prices accelerate, we have all the necessary regulatory levers, «to prevent this process, so please also ensure that prices do not rise sharply. Otherwise, this will lead to us being forced to take unpopular decisions to stop this process,» the minister said.
Drinking pasteurized milk from the beginning of the year to January 15 increased in price by 0.57%, sterilized milk by 0.55%, Rosstat reported; In general, in 2023, milk and dairy products in the Russian Federation increased in price by 0.5%.
The Minister recalled that in the opposite situation, when overstocking of the milk market in 2023 led to a decrease in producer prices, the Ministry of Agriculture also responded in a timely manner, expanding export opportunities through 100% compensation for the costs of transporting certain milk processing products. As a result, external supplies of milk powder increased 6 times compared to 2022, and supplies of whey doubled, Patrushev noted, and this made it possible to remove certain surpluses from the domestic market and thereby adjust the cost of products.