Miory Regional Executive Committee
The formation and use of stabilization funds during the 2023–2024 interseasonal period were discussed at a republican meeting held in the agro-town of Novka, Vitebsk District.
Representatives of the regional vertical of state administration, district executive committees, vegetable producers, and retail networks took part in the discussion of this important issue concerning the country’s food security.
“In every region, we bring together farmers and representatives of agricultural enterprises to establish a dialogue platform with trading organizations, including republican and regional networks. Their demand for vegetables and fruits rises significantly during the interseasonal period. The Government attaches special importance to this matter—preserving the harvested crops, ensuring proper storage, and supplying them to consumers in fresh form. Accordingly, our objective is to establish contractual ties between producers and retailers. As a major agricultural producer, Belarus generally meets its own needs. We produce 4.5 times more than required domestically and aim to generate revenue through exports. However, the paramount priority remains feeding the people of Belarus,” emphasized Alexey Bogdanov, Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade of the Republic of Belarus.
As noted by the head of the ministry, Vitebsk Region must ensure the placement of 16,000 tons of fruit and vegetable produce into storage—the so-called “borscht set,” along with apples. The minister highlighted that since last year, trading organizations have been focused on selling domestic vegetables and fruits.
Before the session began, the participants of the working meeting examined samples of produce grown by the Production Cooperative “Olgovskoe”, the Luzhesnaya Variety Testing Station, the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and the State Enterprise “Rudakovo”.
– The harvest this year is quite good. We traditionally grow vegetables both in open fields and in protected environments. We have already harvested all the carrots and beets, and are currently continuing to harvest potatoes. Contracts for the supply of 490 tons of potatoes to retail chains have been concluded out of the planned 500. All storage facilities have been repaired, certified, and are ready to receive the produce. Vitebsk will be supplied with vegetables, – assured Andrey Benko, director of “Rudakovo”.
One of the main partners of the enterprise is the retail chain “Vesta”. According to the director of this joint-stock company, Veniamin Reiman, “Vesta” always gives preference to domestic products, focusing on two main indicators – quality and price.
– The Vitebsk region is procuring fruit and vegetable products to fully meet the needs of regional retail chains. To date, 96% of contracts with producers have been concluded. There are issues with onions and apples. Due to weather conditions this year, there was a shortfall in beets, cabbage, and carrots. However, there is still time to rectify the situation. The deficit will be procured by the consumer cooperative from residents and farmers. A proven scheme for supplying closed educational institutions and healthcare facilities is already in place. An important issue is the readiness of storage facilities. All have passed certification and meet the necessary requirements, – reported Anzhelika Nikitina, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee.
During the meeting, the issue of terms for entering retail chains and requirements for fruit and vegetable products was also discussed.
An important outcome of the meeting were negotiations between representatives of retail chains and agricultural producers of the Vitebsk region regarding the conclusion of contracts for the supply of products.