Rapeseed Harvest in Belarus Almost Doubled in 5 Years
Belarus has prospects for the development of oilseeds production: in addition to rapeseed, the area under sunflower and flax crops has been steadily increasing in the country in recent years. Andrei Meshkov, head of the food production department of the Belarusian State Food Industry Concern Belgospischeprom, voiced this opinion to BELTA.
According to him, the natural and economic conditions allow for the effective cultivation of rapeseed, which occupies 97% of the national oilseeds.
"Over the past five years, rapeseed production has increased 1.8 times and in 2022 amounted to 805.3 thousand tons. The gross yield was influenced by an increase in yield" said the specialist.
Meshkov is sure that to expand the rapeseed market in Belarus, it is necessary to ensure the development of promising areas for breeding this crop. "Today we already have rapeseed varieties and hybrids with an oil content of 42-50% and protein content of 24-27%" - said the head of the department.
In addition, according to the expert, local enterprises are able to process about 2 million tons of oilseeds annually. The index of provision with vegetable oil of own production is 223%.
"The achieved production volumes not only correspond to the optimistic level of food security but also allow increasing exports" Meshkov noted.
According to Belgospischeprom, in 2022 rapeseed oil (the main export product of the Belarusian fat-and-oil industry) was sold to 22 countries for about $640 million.
According to him, the natural and economic conditions allow for the effective cultivation of rapeseed, which occupies 97% of the national oilseeds.
"Over the past five years, rapeseed production has increased 1.8 times and in 2022 amounted to 805.3 thousand tons. The gross yield was influenced by an increase in yield" said the specialist.
Meshkov is sure that to expand the rapeseed market in Belarus, it is necessary to ensure the development of promising areas for breeding this crop. "Today we already have rapeseed varieties and hybrids with an oil content of 42-50% and protein content of 24-27%" - said the head of the department.
In addition, according to the expert, local enterprises are able to process about 2 million tons of oilseeds annually. The index of provision with vegetable oil of own production is 223%.
"The achieved production volumes not only correspond to the optimistic level of food security but also allow increasing exports" Meshkov noted.
According to Belgospischeprom, in 2022 rapeseed oil (the main export product of the Belarusian fat-and-oil industry) was sold to 22 countries for about $640 million.