Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev addressed First International Agro-Industrial Forum (IAIF 2019), the website of the Russian government reports.
As Medvedev pointed out, “Russia has unique natural resources, including in agriculture. We have 20% of the world’s fresh water, 9% of arable land, and some 60% of the planet’s black soils. Agriculture has been a priority industry in Russia historically. According to preliminary estimates, this year the harvest will be better than last year as farmers have gathered in over 115 mio tons of grain. Last year, Russia was the world’s leader in the export of grain: about 44 mio tons. There is also a rise in the export of fish and sea products. Over the nine months of this year, these exports accounted for about $3.7 bln.”
According to the Prime Minister, “There is a demand on the global market for our foodstuffs, the production of which is increasing. The export of oil is growing. Being an active participant in the global food market and a large food exporter, Russia cannot avoid the need to adequately respond to new challenges.”
“Our goals in the 21st century are different, – Medvedev said. – We are creating so-called green brands and learning to combine intensive agricultural production with modern technology and environmental protection. We are closely monitoring production, marketing and consumption, a task which is no less challenging than the ones we had in the 20th century.”