Land & Farming.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia’s grain exports to China hit record one million tons.

RT.com
17 May, 2018 09:17

The growing exports of Russian grain to China have reached historic levels this agricultural year, according to Russia’s food safety regulator Rosselkhoznadzor.

The watchdog said that 1.23 million tons of grain has been supplied to the Chinese market since last July. Exports stood at 503,000 tons in the previous agricultural year, Rosselkhoznadzor told TASS.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture forecasts overall grain export growth to be 52 million tons by the end of this agricultural year (to June 30).

China is mainly buying soybeans, colza seeds, wheat and corn from Russia. Recently, it also started importing buckwheat, flax seeds, sunflower and oats seeds.

According to Rosselkhoznadzor, China is thirteenth among top importers of the Russian grain and could get into the top ten shortly.

Last year, China's largest food processor COFCO purchased 4,000 tons of Russian spring wheat and said it's ready to import up to two million tons, gradually increasing to five million tons.

The two countries are currently constructing a new grain transportation port in Fuyuan, China. It will create shipping routes for grain harvested in Russia by Chinese enterprises.

The port connecting Russia and China is to be completed by September 2019 and will have an annual capacity of 650,000 tons. The new shipping route is expected to dramatically cut costs compared to ground transportation that has been used in the past.

Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said this month that sales of grain abroad have grown significantly in the first months of 2018, up by more than 42 percent.

Last year, Russia exported $21 billion worth of grain which exceeded the country’s military arms sales, according to Medvedev.

Russian exports of agricultural products and foodstuffs have grown 16-fold since 2000. In 2016, Russia became the world leader in wheat exports. Since the early 2000s, the country’s share of the world wheat market has quadrupled, from four to 16 percent.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia boosts investment in Crimea's booming agriculture.

RT.com
25 Jun, 2018 14:13

Agricultural production in Russia's Crimea is set to rise by at least 10 percent this year with the help of government investments.

Output will grow to 58 billion rubles (shy of $1 billion), which corresponds to a 10 percent growth year-on-year, according to Minister of Agriculture of the Republic Andrey Ryumshin. Since becoming part of the Russian Federation in 2014, Crimea's agriculture has grown by almost a quarter. According to Ryumshin, in 2012-2013, Ukraine invested 113.6 million hryvnia ( about $8 million) in Crimea’s agricultural sector.

"For comparison, after reunification with Russia - for 2014-2017 - the amount of state support exceeded 7.2 billion rubles (about $120 million),” he said. Russian state support allows Crimea to deal with Western sanctions and Ukraine’s water blockade.

In 2014, Ukraine greatly reduced the volume of water flowing into Crimea via the Soviet-built North Crimean Canal to cause irrigation problems on the peninsula. Kiev’s decision to blackmail Crimea with water has backfired, former Ukrainian MP Vadym Kolesnichenko told RIA Novosti.

According to him, the peninsula has managed to provide itself with water, while some arid parts of Ukraine on the way of the canal are suffering from drought. Crimea produces 1.4 million tons of grain a year – around a million tons of which is exported despite sanctions.

The three largest buyers of Crimean wheat are Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.

[TsarSamuil]

My uncle kept lots of bees, so good honey..

Bulgaria e-commerce logistics hub links up with China.

CGTN
Jul 6, 2018



Bulgaria was once one of Eastern Europe’s largest food producers. The nation’s food industry has suffered since the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and due to competition within the European Union. Now the country is looking to access China, where doors are opening thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative.

[TsarSamuil]

From Russia with wheat: Exports by global grain superpower soar 80%

RT.com
7 Sep, 2018 13:52

The world’s top exporter of grain, Russia, has increased sales of its wheat abroad by 80.2 percent from January to July 2018 compared to the same period of 2017.

Statistics from the Federal Customs Service showed that in July the country shipped 3.8 million tons of wheat and meslin (a mixture of wheat and rye), up by almost 78 percent from the previous month. The value of exports rose by 74 percent.

According to the customs service, imports of wheat and meslin increased by 36.7 percent through July – worth $32.2 million. Overall, grain imports amounted to $227.8 million in the seven months of this year, down by 7.8 percent from 2017.

Russia has managed to capture more than half of the world wheat market in recent years, becoming the world’s biggest exporter of grain, thanks to bumper harvests and attractive pricing. In 2016, the country became the world leader in wheat exports. Since the early 2000s, its share of the world wheat market has quadrupled.

According to the Director of the SovEcon analytical center, Andrey Sizov, Russia’s agricultural export market is actively expanding. It supplies grain to Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iran. Saudi Arabia has announced plans to become a major hub for Russian agricultural products in the Middle East.

Russia’s food safety regulator Rosselkhoznadzor reported that the growing exports of grain to China have reached historic levels this agricultural year. Some 1.23 million tons of grain has been supplied to the Chinese market since last July, the watchdog said. This week, US Wheat Associates (USW) has announced the closing of its Moscow office on October 1 due to lack of demand for American wheat in Russia.

It explained the decision by Russia’s “shift from being a net importer of wheat to become the largest single wheat exporting country in the world.” Overall, Russia’s agricultural production is projected to grow three percent this year, from last year’s 120.7 million tons. That would be the best-ever harvest for Russia, even counting the Soviet era.

[TsarSamuil]

Golden Autumn: Moscow Hosts Massive Farm Fair Showcasing the “Fruits” of Russian Labor.

Vesti News
Oct 21, 2018



An annual exhibition titled "Golden Autumn" has opened up in Moscow. This year, the exhibition is held for the 20th time and is especially large. Farmers from all parts of Russia have brought their products to VDNKh. These include not only various delicacies, fruits, vegetables, crops, and seeds but also farm equipment.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia’s grain exports surge more than 54% this year.

RT.com
9 Nov, 2018 14:00

Exports of Russia’s wheat and meslin flour expanded by 54.3 percent from January through September of 2018 against the same period a year ago, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Customs Service.

In terms of money, the grain exports reportedly amounted to $6 billion, marking a 62 percent growth. In September alone, the value of grain exports increased by 1.4 percent compared to the same period a year ago and totaled $898.1 million.

The data also showed that imports of grains to Russia dropped 11.1 percent in the first nine months of the year, totaling $245 million. Imports of barley declined by an enormous 94 percent to two million dollars, while purchases of corn by Russian producers fell to $127.6 million, marking a 7.6 percent drop.

On Thursday, Russian agricultural ministry raised the forecast of wheat exports for the current marketing year to 35 million metric tons. In late October, the ministry also increased projections for grain crop to 109 million metric tons from 105 million metric tons, citing improved conditions in Siberia. However, Russian producers managed to harvest 112.7 million tons of grain as of October 25.

Russia has captured more than half of the world’s wheat market in recent years, becoming the world’s biggest exporter of grain, thanks to bumper harvests and attractive pricing. In 2016, Russia became the world leader in wheat exports. Since the early 2000s, its share of the world wheat market has quadrupled.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia seeks to ‘feed the whole planet’ – PM.

RT.com
6 Dec, 2018 14:04

Russia seeks to expand its agricultural exports, ultimately seeking to feed the whole planet, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. The PM’s statement comes as the country enjoys a record surge in grain exports.

“Our country is, as they say, destined by the heavens to feed the whole planet. And we’ll try and do that,” Medvedev told journalists of Russian TV channels in a major interview aired on Thursday.

Apart from being the country’s “destiny,” the foods plainly make “nice export goods,” the prime minister added. Russia’s agriculture has expanded greatly over the past few years, becoming a solid and profitable industry, unlike the way it was a couple decades ago.

“Back in 1990s, the agriculture was called a ‘black hole’, where one should not invest, we were told we should not feed ourselves since we can purchase everything elsewhere,” Medvedev said. “Now, it feeds our whole country. We’ve reached the main goals regarding food security and we’re exporting grains, other goods to the world market.”

This year, Russia has enjoyed vast growth of its agricultural exports, becoming the world’s top exporter of wheat. From January through September of 2018, exports of Russia’s wheat and meslin flour expanded by 54.3 percent compared to the previous year.

The amount of food which the county imports, in its turn, continued to shrink. Imports of grains to Russia dropped by 11.1 percent during the same period. Imports of barley have suffered an enormous decline, dropping a whopping 94 percent.

[TsarSamuil]

Poland extends GMO feed use to 2021.

theNews.pl
02.01.2019 08:30

Regulations extending the legal use of GMO animal feed in Poland to 2021 came into force on January 1, Poland’s PAP news agency reported.

A ban on genetically modified feed was first written into law in 2006. However, the deadline for enacting the measure was delayed several times due to the domestic market’s inability to supply enough protein to feed livestock.

Poland’s feed imports chiefly comprise genetically engineered soybean meal from South America and the United States.

Poland wants to tap into domestic high-protein sources to supply half the domestic demand by 2024.

In October 2015, the European Parliament's environment committee rejected a proposal to allow individual member states to ban trade in and use of biotech food and animal feed, citing the EU's free movement of goods principle.

(aba/gs)

Source: PAP, IAR

[TsarSamuil]

Poland: Thousands of farmers protest against Ukrainian imports.

Ruptly
Feb 6, 2019



Thousands of farmers from all over Poland took to the streets of Warsaw on Wednesday, demanding that the Polish government limit the import of products, primarily from Ukraine.

The protest, which was organised by the private company AGROunia, was held in front of the Presidential Palace, where protesting farmers urged politicians to do more to care about the polish agriculture industry.

According to the organiser of the protest Michal Kolodziejczak, “more and more goods from Ukraine are coming to Poland. The West does not want to buy our goods in the amount we produce. They cut us off effectively from the internal market.”

“We cannot sell [products] to Russia, because politicians in some strange way conduct international policy at the expense of Polish farmers and Russian consumers. And here we bear the consequences," Kolodziejczak added.

According to activists, if the country's leadership does not make concessions, farmers promise to begin a “siege of the capital.” According to experts, the Polish authorities refuse to change their political course.

[TsarSamuil]

Belarusian president gets furious over cows covered in sh*t

RT
Mar 29, 2019



Lukashenko bashes officials over conditions at local farm, comparing it to Auschwitz.

[TsarSamuil]

Putin predicts doubling of Russian agriculture exports by 2024.

RT.com
20 Jun, 2019 11:36

Sales of Russia’s agricultural products abroad are expected to reach $45 billion in the next five years, according to President Vladimir Putin.

That is “quite an achievable target,” Putin said on Thursday, during his annual Direct Line Q&A session.

“If, ten years ago, someone had told us that Russia would export agricultural products worth $25.7 billion-a-year, like in 2018, we would have laughed and said: “Thanks for your good-but-unfeasible intentions,” the Russian president said. But that has been already accomplished, he pointed out.

“We are striving to ensure that, by 2024, our agricultural exports reach $45 billion, and I think this is an attainable figure,” Putin said.

Boosting agricultural exports is currently one of Russia’s top-priority tasks. The country’s Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said this month that Russia will soon become one of the world’s 10 leading exporters of agricultural products.

Earlier this year, Putin said Russia's enormous natural resources should serve as a guarantee of high-quality food production; he also ordered the creation a Russian brand of ‘green’ non-GMO products.

Referring to Russia’s booming agriculture sector, the president said that the country has ensured its independence on the global wheat market.

Russian agricultural production surged by 20 percent over the past five years. The country managed to capture more than half of the global wheat market in recent years, becoming the world’s biggest exporter of grain, thanks to bumper harvests and attractive pricing.

In 2016, Russia became the world leader in wheat exports. Since the early 2000s, its share of the global wheat market has quadrupled.

[TsarSamuil]

Bulgaria’s President Radev had Talks with the Mayor of Shanghai.

Novinite.com
Politics » DIPLOMACY | July 5, 2019, Friday // 18:26

Bulgarian companies will be able to offer agricultural products and dairy products on the Chinese market. The problems that have been encountered so far have been resolved in the meeting between Presidents XI Jinping and Rumen Radev during the Bulgarian President’s visit in China, reports BNT.

According to Radev, relations between the two countries are entering a new stage with the adoptuion of the Strategic Partnership Declaration.

In the talks with XI Jinping, President Radev raised the issue of the export of Bulgarian agricultural produce to China and the serious difficulties that companies face. The same applies to milk and dairy products, although the phytosanitary control documents have been signed for more than two years.

Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria: Within one minute, this problem was resolved by President XI Jinping. They are now allowed, and all is given to their Customs Agency and uploaded to their site.
President Radev said that with the adopted Strategic Partnership Declaration, the door to business with China is wide open, and from now on it is very important for the government, businesses and municipalities to show the necessary will and energy. And to the critics of establishing closer contacts with China, President Radev reminded that almost all big EU countries have a strategic partnership with Beijing.

Rumen Radev: I am here to stand up for Bulgarian interest and European politics, because since 2003 there has been an agreement between the EU and China for a comprehensive strategic partnership.
President Radev had talks with the mayor of Shanghai - China's largest economic, trade, financial and cultural centre. More than 24 million people live in the city.

Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong and President Radev discussed the opportunities for partnership in building urban infrastructure and information technology.

[TsarSamuil]

Lost forests: Russia considers banning lumber exports to China over concerns about illegal logging.

RT.com
15 Aug, 2019 09:58

Moscow may impose a full embargo on lumber exports to its largest trade partner, China, if Beijing fails to deal with illegal logging, Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has warned.

“China should have a clear understanding that if it fails to engage in solving this problem, we will have no other choice but to ban the export of lumber completely,” minister Dmitry Kobylkin told Russia’s Vedomosti newspaper.

"They come, buy up the [illegal] timber and leave us to clear up the debris," Kobylkin said of Chinese loggers.

The minister has already asked Chinese law enforcement to take on the illegal loggers, and says the problem can be solved only if the Chinese take concrete steps. As an example, he suggested the building of special seed-growing facilities and replant trees to restore the lost forests “for our children and grandchildren.”

In July, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said that illegal logging increases the risk of floods, after rising water devastated the Russian Siberian region of Irkutsk, leaving more than 10 people dead and driving thousands from their homes.

Shortly after the severe flooding, wildfires started to rage in Irkutsk, Yakutia, Krasnoyarsk and some other regions, burning more than 2,5 million hectares of forest. Russian prosecutors suspect the fires were deliberately set to cover up illegal logging.

Russia is the leading supplier of lumber to China and accounts for around 30 percent of the country’s imports of the material, according to Forbes. In 2017, year-on-year exports rose 23 percent and reached $4.8 billion.

[TsarSamuil]

Putin's farmer - agriculture and business in Russia | DW Documentary.

DW Documentary
Oct 21, 2017



One of Putin’s biggest fans and a prominent businessman in the agriculture industy, Stefan Dürr has built a farming empire in Russia.

Dürr emigrated from Germany to Siberia when he was a student and now has his own empire in Russia. He owns at least 200,000 hectares of land and has 60,000 cows and 4,000 employees. Two years ago Vladimir Putin personally handed him the certificate of Russian citizenship. Russia wants to become independent of European Union imports and Dürr’s milk empire benefits from this policy. That’s because he also receives some of the state subsidies that are being invested in building up Russia’s agriculture. Wherever Dürr shows up, be it at the Agrofarm agricultural trade show in Moscow, or at the regional ministries of Kaluga and Voronezh, people listen to him and rely on him. We meet a man who waxes lyrical about how much he has been able to grow in Russia, how he has been able to buy land and develop as an entrepreneur and also get involved in politics. Dürr is an ice hockey fan: 'Germany,' he says, 'is like football: very thought through, following strict rules. Fouls are punished, dives could be worth it. In Russia it’s like ice hockey: faster, more spontaneous, tougher - and yet still following fair rules.' It’s a game that Dürr seems to have a talent for.

[TsarSamuil]

Ukraine Sells Out! Western Banks Now Own the Land, Prepare to Sell It Off to IMF and George Soros!

Vesti News
Nov 13, 2019



Today, the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine was encircled by columns of tractors and a crowd of nationalists. Deputies throw soil at each other. The issue of the sale of land seems to ultimately split the country. Foreigners already control over 8 million hectares (20 million acres) of Ukrainian black soil. After the law is adopted, as Western bankers demand, Ukrainian farmers risk losing their last lots. But Zelensky's previous promises no longer leave him any room to maneuver.