Belarus’ Agriculture Ministry has raised the minimum export prices for various dairy products sold to Russia, effective August 1, 2024, to stabilize the market and ensure competitiveness.
Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Ministry has once again increased the minimum prices for specific dairy products sold under foreign trade agreements. The new pricing regulation, outlined in resolution No. 80 dated July 30, 2024, has been officially published on the national legal internet portal and will take effect from August 1. This move is part of a series of adjustments aimed at stabilizing the dairy market and ensuring the competitiveness of Belarusian products in the Russian market.
Belarus has a long history of dairy production, which has been a significant component of its agricultural sector. The country has been one of the leading dairy producers in the region, with a strong focus on exporting to neighboring countries, particularly Russia. Over the years, Belarus has implemented various policies and regulations to maintain the quality and competitiveness of its dairy exports. The recent series of price adjustments is part of this ongoing effort to adapt to market conditions and protect the interests of its dairy farmers and producers.
Commodity Prices
The resolution specifies the updated minimum prices for a range of dairy products exported to Russia:
| Product Type | New Minimum Price (RUB) | New Minimum Price (USD) | Previous Minimum Price (RUB) |
| Milk and Cream | 360 | 4.24 | 350 |
| Condensed Milk, Powdered Milk, Granulated Milk, and Other Solid Forms of Milk | 360 | 4.24 | 350 |
| Butter (80% or more milk fat content) | 690 | 8.12 | 670 |
| Butter (more than 72% but less than 80% milk fat content) | 620 | 7.30 | 600 |
| Cheese (45% and below fat content) | 410 | 4.83 | 400 |
| Cheese (above 45% fat content) | 415 | —- | 405 |
Key Adjustments
- Milk and Cream: The new minimum price is set at 360 Russian rubles (USD 4.24) per kilogram, up from 350 rubles.
- Condensed Milk, Powdered Milk, Granulated Milk, and Other Solid Forms of Milk: These products, which must have a fat content above 1.5% without added sugar or other sweetening agents, also have a new minimum price of 360 rubles (USD 4.24) per kilogram, previously priced at 350 rubles.
- Butter (80% or more milk fat content): The minimum price has been raised to 690 rubles (USD 8.12) per kilogram from the previous 670 rubles.
- Butter (more than 72% but less than 80% milk fat content): The new minimum price is 620 rubles (USD 7.30) per kilogram, up from 600 rubles.
- Cheese (45% and below fat content): The minimum price has been increased to 410 rubles (USD 4.83) per kilogram from 400 rubles.
- Cheese (above 45% fat content): The new minimum price is 415 rubles per kilogram, up from the previous 405 rubles.
Repeated Price Adjustments
This recent adjustment is part of a series of price increases by the Agriculture and Food Ministry earlier this year, with previous hikes implemented on March 8 and 23, April 2 and 12, June 22, and July 12 and 18. These repeated adjustments reflect the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to regulate and stabilize the export market for Belarusian dairy products, ensuring competitiveness and profitability within the Russian market.
The continuous price revisions underscore the Belarusian government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and profitable export market for its dairy products. By regularly updating the minimum export prices, the Ministry aims to support the domestic dairy industry and enhance its position in the Russian market.
