Belarus’ agricultural co-operation with China to strengthen, with exports likely to reach $900m

Belarus-China agricultural co-operation will be actively developed, and agreements have been reached that large joint production facilities in the field of animal husbandry will soon be set up in Belarus. As noted by Agriculture and Food Minister Igor Brylo in Beijing, there also big plans to increase exports of Belarusian products to the Chinese market.

Mr. Brylo informed that his meetings with Chinese colleagues and partners had been fruitful. The parties discussed a number of promising areas of bilateral co-operation – including the construction of joint ventures and the increase in a range of Belarusian export products.

The official reminded that Belarusian enterprises supply beef, dry and whole milk, poultry meat to the Chinese market at present. “We brought the documents for opening [admission to the market] of the products that have been heat–treated (this applies to poultry and beef) and also canned food. Moreover, baby food and homogenised products are very important for us as well, and they are not yet available on the Chinese market,” he said.

The parties also discussed prospects for co-operation in the field of biotechnology. Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Ministry and China’s State Investment Agency discussed in detail the issues related to construction of a vitamin production facility on the basis of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (BNBC).

“It is our strategic direction. Our talks lasted for more than two hours, and certain comments were made in connection with objective reasons for the Chinese side. The market is changing, and our partners were concerned about where the products, in particular vitamins C, B, B12, would be sold. We explained everything, naming each country where they will be sold. I believe we convinced our colleagues. I am positive about the construction of BNBC-3 in our country, as this envisages a huge investment," Mr. Brylo stressed.

Two other documents were signed with Chinese partners. “In particular, the largest pig breeding complex in Belarus (for 300 thousand animals) will be built in the Minsk Region, and this is a very important project for our country. We will also modify our beef cattle breeding on the basis of the Mogilev Region, and a slaughter hall will be built there,” the official added.

Mr. Brylo clarified that these projects are joint and focused on the Chinese market. At the same time, the needs of Belarus’ domestic market will be initially closed. New production facilities will also create additional jobs in the regions.

The minister also informed on the plans to increase the volume of Belarusian agricultural exports to the Chinese market. In 2022, the country sold $524m of food to China, but the Agriculture and Food Ministry has set an ambitious goal to increase exports to $900m this year.