14.09.2010
Belarusian consumer market has been stabilized,” said Minister of Trade of the Republic of Belarus Valentin Chekanov at the news briefing.
He noted that provision of the population with food commodities is a priority guideline for the economic development of Belarus. Over the past year the country has produced significantly more foodstuffs than in the preceding year. This makes it possible to supply not only the domestic market, but also foreign ones. For example, meat production in 2009 increased by 20% as compared with 2008, production of sausage goods – by 8%, butter – by 42%, cheese – by 22%, vegetable oil – by 50%, sugar – by 16%, cereals – by 40%, etc.
Food market of Belarus is supplied mainly by Belarusian producers, and by a few importers. In recent years Belarusian distribution network has preserved a high ratio of locally produced goods. As regards foodstuffs, the share of domestic products makes up 85.2%, and in some product groups it amounts to 90% (meat, poultry, sausages, tinned food, dairy products).
All commodity groups are retailed within a variety of price brackets. Yet, it is impossible to produce the whole range of foodstuffs sold in retail outlets (which is more than 20 thousand goods) domestically, so some of product groups, first of all the goods falling into the category of critical import, are imported to Belarus from abroad (tea, coffee, seafood, etc.).
Over the past 8 months Belarus’ population have bought food commodities worth Br 21.8 trillion, which is 14.3% more than over the same period in the preceding year. The share of foodstuffs in the structure of retail trade makes up 50.9%.
