Belarusian Vitebsk Oblast's food export up by 30% in Q1 2022

In January-March, Vitebsk Oblast's food export surged by 30% year-on-year, head of the economy committee of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Veronika Zaboluyeva said at a meeting of the regional administration to discuss the development of the industrial sector of the region, BelTA has learned.

"The Russian Federation remains the main market for the regional food industry. In the first quarter, our food export rose by 30% year-on-year," Veronika Zaboluyeva said.

The West's economic sanctions have hurt the industrial sector of both the country and Vitebsk Oblast in particular. Veronika Zabolueyva explained that the processing industry was exposed to this external pressure less than others."This industry in Vitebsk Oblast is the least susceptible to the sanctions as it sources the main raw materials locally. There are issues with components, fillers that were purchased outside Belarus. However, work is underway with enterprises of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to replace the products previously imported from European countries. In general, the processing secotr, with the exception of oil and petroleum products, accounts for about 60% in the industry of the region. The lineup is very wide and is on sale in all retail facilities of the region," Veronika Zaboluyeva said.