Because Russia’s agricultural policies are aimed at achieving more growth and higher self-sufficiency levels, pig and poultry producers, processors and feed manufacturers are looking for the latest technology and machinery to help them hit the government’s ambitious meat production targets.
In spite of recent economic difficulties, the Russian government is heavily investing in agricultural development programmes. Many of these schemes focus on the feed and meat supply chain, and the pig and poultry sectors are high on the list of priorities.
All these factors should make VIV Russia 2011 in Moscow from May 17-19 particularly important for processors and producers seeking new ideas and production techniques from feed through to the final meat products. This is especially true in 2011, as many animal agribusiness professionals were unable to attend VIV Europe 2010 because of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland and the subsequent closure of airspace in Europe at the time.
VIV Russia is the platform where international companies display the latest developments in advanced animal and feed production. The event also is recognised as a vital opportunity to expand business and gain access to the huge Russian market.
Russian domestic meat production increasing
The Russian government announced its intentions to increase domestic meat production by 25% by the end of 2012 to help cut its dependency on imports.
Particular emphasis has been placed on increasing local poultry production. According to Sergei Mikhailov, CEO of Russian meat producer Cherkizovo, the target of reaching poultry self-sufficiency may be achieved even sooner than expected.
Pig numbers are also growing in Russia, because of high domestic meat prices and increased demand, and as a consequence of the ban on US pork during the first five months of 2010.
FeedTech-CropTech pavilion
With its Feed to Meat theme this year, VIV Russia 2011 is also a business-to-business event for the feed mill sector, with more than 20% of regular visitors expressing a dedicated interest in feed storage and handling, as well as feed processing.
The show will feature a special FCR 2011 Pavilion: a dedicated FeedTech-CropTech exhibition and conference that will focus on the primary processing phases of crops, including soybean, rapeseed, corn, wheat, fodder crops and nuts. The pavilion will also highlight the production of feed, pre-mixes, pet food (a rapidly growing sector), vegetable oil, raw material feedstuffs and (ingredient) foodstuffs, as well as biomass and biofuel products.
Because consumer attitudes toward food and food safety are changing as rapidly in Russia as in the rest of the world, the organisers of VIV Russia 2011 have said they believe the importance of delivering fresh, safe meat and feed products with an extended shelf life will grow in line with demand and rising international food safety standards.
They are also confident that VIV Russia 2011’s Feed to Meat concept will bring together supply and demand within the complete animal protein chain to complement Russia’s dynamic meat production markets.
