Russia exported $12.5 million worth of dairy products to Belarus in the first quarter, according to data published by the Agroexport centre of the Russian Agriculture Ministry.
Belarus became the third-largest market for Russian dairy exports. Higher volumes were supplied to Kazakhstan (more than $30 million) and Uzbekistan (around $14 million).
Russia’s main export items were cheese and curd, fermented dairy products, as well as milk and cream.
Meanwhile, cheese stocks in Russia are increasing amid rising domestic production and imports from Belarus. In April, inventories grew by 21% compared with the same period last year. Warehouse stocks are 52% higher than the five-year average. Cheese production has increased, while demand has remained largely unchanged. Retail sales continue to grow, but a decline is observed in the HoReCa segment.