Russia: Livestock and Products Annual
FAS Moscow forecasts two percent reduction of cattle inventories and a decline of beef production to 1.315 MMT in 2017 due to weak investment. Record grain harvests may encourage more imports of feeder cattle and growth of domestic swine herds at leading farms. Beef consumption will likely decline 1.3 percent to 1.915 MMT, while pork consumption will grow 3.7 percent to 3.280 MMT as top pork producers reduce prices to match competition. Major meat companies continue to grow their market shares, while many smaller pork operations hit by low margins and a record ASF outbreak may close. Beef imports are anticipated at 0.6 MMT and pork at 0.4 MMT, mostly from Brazil or Belarus. Changes in state support are possible in 2017, as the pork industry is close to reaching capacity goals and the beef sector needs additional incentives for private investment.
