Russia: Livestock and Products Semi-annual
Russian cattle inventories are expected to continue to decline in 2015 despite continued Government support for the industry. Cattle imports in 2015 are anticipated to be lower (i.e., 70,000 head) than previous estimates after import volumes fell 25 percent in 2014. Swine inventories are anticipated to increase nominally in 2015, while live swine imports are forecast to nearly cease in 2015 due to ongoing restrictions on foreign suppliers. Consumption levels for both beef and pork are anticipated to decline in 2015 given the difficult economic situation in Russia. Domestic beef production is forecast to remain flat in 2015 (1.37 MMT), but beef imports are forecast to fall nearly 20 percent (750,000 MT). Likewise, FAS/Moscow forecasts a small increase in Russian pork production in 2015 (2.55 MMT), but a substantial reduction in imports (200,000 MT).
