The trade in agricultural products between Russia and the BRICS countries increased by one and a half times in the first six month of the year

25 August 2023

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sergey Levin took part in the 13th meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture, which took place in the Limpopo province of the Republic of South Africa.

The Deputy Head of the Ministry of Agriculture said that Russia continues to steadily increase the pace of agricultural production, despite the current sanctioned restrictions and increasing political pressure. As a result, the country not only fully supplies its own population with the necessary foods, but also remains a reliable supplier to world markets. Additionally, it actively participates in international humanitarian programs, contributing to the achievement of global food security. Most of our agricultural products go to developing and economically-disadvantaged countries.

Sergey Levin noted the positive dynamics of cooperation between the BRICS member countries and Russia. Over the past year, the turnover of agricultural products increased by almost 40%. In the first half of this year, the volume of mutual trade increased by another 50% compared to the same period last year.

Russian exports to the BRICS countries are also actively growing - by almost 80% in the first 6 months of this year. This was achieved primarily thanks to an increase in the supply of vegetable oils, frozen fish, shellfish and soybeans. Sergey Levin emphasized that, in general, the dynamics of trade clearly demonstrates the mutual interest of our countries and strong economic and political ties.

Sergey Levin shared his experience in implementing the state program "Integrated Development of Rural Territories" with colleagues at the BRICS Rural Development Symposium.

The event culminated with an adaptation of a joint declaration of the 13th meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the BRICS countries.

A number of bilateral meetings were held on the margins of BRICS.

The Deputy Minister discussed the prospects for cooperation in the agro-industrial complex with the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa Angela Tokozile Didiza.

Agriculture is one of the main areas of trade and economic cooperation between the countries. Russia and South Africa are actively working to strengthen cooperation in this direction. In the first half of 2023, trade turnover between the countries increased by 2.4 times compared to the same period last year. The Deputy Minister expressed his readiness to increase the export of grain, oil and fat and meat products to South Africa.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture discussed the increase in mutual deliveries of agricultural products with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil Roberto Peroza. This country is one of our leading economic partners in Latin America. There has been a steady upward trend in bilateral trade in agricultural products over the past years.