Official: Russia may raise grain exports via UAE to 2–3 mln tns

DUBAI, Feb 24 (PRIME) -- Russia may increase grain exports through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to other Arab countries to 2–3 million tonnes from 500,000 tonnes very soon, Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Levin told PRIME on February 21 on the sidelines of the Gulfood 2016 trade show.

“Taking into account that the Emirates estimate the market that receives agricultural products through them at up to 2 billion people, we may raise grain supplies to the Arab world through the Emirates by many times. And it may not be the current 500,000 tonnes, but 2–3 million tonnes in a very short span of time if we set up logistics chains,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachyov said Russia also plans to raise exports of meat and meat products to the UAE. In 2015, Russia supplied only 300 kilograms of beef and 500 kilograms of poultry to the country.

“Of course, we expect (to raise deliveries). It covers both grain and meat,” he said. “We know, that the UAE are some sort of a transit hub, through which trading with many countries of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East is done. We need to use this circumstance in interest of both our countries.”

Tkachyov also said that the UAE may replace Turkey in exports of fruit and vegetables to Russia. “We would like to receive fruit and vegetables from the UAE, including citruses, taking into account that exports of these products from Turkey were suspended,” he said.

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