Run-up to the international meat exhibition (10-13 May 2015)

13.01.2015

EUROCARNE AND THE RUSSIAN CRISIS: ITALIAN MEAT EXPORT QUOTA DOWN FROM 56.9 TO 9.7 MILLION EUROS YET "MADE IN ITALY" TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SECTOR COVERS 20% OF RUSSIAN IMPORTS

Verona, 19 November 2014. Italian meat exports to Russia fell from 56.9 million euros in 2013, an increase of 7.71% compared to the previous year, to just under 9.7 million euros in the period January-July 2014, posting a setback of 55.9% compared to the same period in 2013. So much so, that Italy dropped back to 22nd place in the ranking of suppliers to Russia. In the period 2011-2013, Italy held 18th position.

This result – based on data processed by Ice-Italian Foreign Trade Agency – is the direct outcome of tensions between the European Union and Russia that culminated in sanctions set by Brussels and the consequent embargo affecting some sectors of the economy, including meat.

According to Ice, moreover, between 2011 and 2013, Russia was the 9th destination for Italian meat exports but has now slipped back to 17th place.

The figures were released this morning at Veronafiere by the Secretary-General of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce, Leonora Barbiani, during the event focusing on “International meat supply chains and markets” organized as part of the run-up to the 26th Eurocarne International Meat Exhibition scheduled in Verona 10-13 May 2015 (www.eurocarne.it).

On a European level in July-August 2014, the supply of beef fell by 64% – down from 4,600 to 1,700 tons, while poultry suffered monthly setbacks of 65% from 10,000 to 2,600 tons. (Source: Meatinfo)

“Business opportunities for machinery and technologies involved in meat production and processing are still high,” said Barbiani. “Russia imports 80% of its machinery from Europe and Italy represents 20% of the total import volume, second only to Germany, the market leader with 30% but ahead of Austria, Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands”.

According to Secretary-General Barbiani, “the recent agreement signed by Cremonini with the Russian railways for catering may become a driving force for the entire meat industry, starting from technology”.

As for the embargo, “we expect by the end of November the visit to Moscow by the High Commissioner for EU Foreign Policy and Security, Federica Mogherini, and I personally hope that when the European Union reviews sanctions in March that at least one country will post a NO vote”.