In 2012, the Vitebsk region will achieve 100% processing depth for meat and dairy products

July 21, Verkhnedvinsk /BELTA correspondent/. On July 21, continuing his working trip to the Vitebsk region, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Cheese Plant". The main theme of the head of state's working day was modern milk processing technologies and the production of high-quality competitive products, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko familiarized himself with the modern technological processes and equipment for milk processing and cheese production, the production and economic condition, and the development prospects of OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Cheese Plant".

The enterprise is a key producer for the entire district: it accounts for 60% of the industrial production volume. The main specialization of the enterprise is cheese production, which accounts for 62.6% of the milk processing structure. The product range includes 22 types of products. For the first five months of 2011, the net profit of the enterprise amounted to Br2.5 billion.

The enterprise has certified and operates quality and safety management systems based on international standards. In April 2009, a new cheese production workshop was commissioned here, equipped with Austrian equipment, which is a single complex - from water iron removal systems to treatment facilities and its own boiler room. With the commissioning of the new line, cheese production increased more than twofold - from 8 to 16.5 tons per day.

The enterprise is also implementing an investment project for the construction of a whey processing workshop with a design capacity of 200 tons per day. As reported to the head of state, the first batch of whey has already been received here. With the workshop operating at full capacity, it is planned to produce up to 1 thousand tons of dry demineralized whey this year, and by 2013, to double its output. Thus, an additional volume of industrial products worth about Br26 billion will be obtained, profit growth from sales will be over Br5.5 billion, and the profitability of sold products will be 21%.

Alexander Lukashenko inquired about the timeframe for the complete processing of all whey obtained in the Belarusian dairy industry. As reported by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mikhail Rusy, the industry will achieve 100 percent whey processing in 2013. Consequently, waste-free production will be organized at dairy processing enterprises. Currently, out of 3.5 million tons of whey obtained, approximately 700 thousand tons are not utilized.

Speaking about the dairy processing industry as a whole, Mikhail Rusy noted that it is planned for 6 million tons of milk to be received by enterprises this year, from which 158 thousand tons of cheese, 110 thousand tons of butter, 120 thousand tons of skimmed and whole milk, and 2-2.2 million tons of whole milk products for the population's needs will be produced, with the remainder to be supplied for export.

By 2015, it is planned to increase cheese production volumes to 200 thousand tons (in 2010, this figure was 145 thousand tons). According to the minister, cheese consumption in Belarus is growing year by year. If in 2005 the population consumed 30 thousand tons, then in 2010 - almost 39 thousand tons. By 2015, according to the minister's forecasts, Belarusians will double their consumption of this product.

Mikhail Rusy also informed the head of state about the progress in establishing a dairy company based on OJSC "Savushkin Product". The President gave the instruction to create a national dairy company by the end of the year, which will be engaged in milk production and processing, during his working trip to the Brest region at the end of June.

The minister specifically noted that with the entry of Belarusian dairy products into foreign markets, foreign investors have shown interest in Belarus's dairy industry. In particular, one such company is the Dutch dairy producer Campina, widely known in the Russian market for its yogurt brands Fruttis and "Nezhny".

Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets reported to the President on the work of the Vitebsk concern "Meat and Dairy Products". Over two and a half years, Br350 billion was invested in the modernization and re-equipment of the concern's dairy plants and meat processing plants. This work will be fully completed in 2012, which will allow achieving 100% deep processing of meat and dairy products. By 2015, it is planned to significantly increase the production of cheese and whole milk products.

Alexander Kosinets noted that milk product supplies from the Vitebsk region to Minsk have increased several times. In addition, the number of external sales markets has significantly grown. If the Vitebsk concern started with exporting products to 11 countries, today supplies are already made to 39 countries.

The President believes that if the Vitebsk concern operates successfully and generates high profits, similar associations can be created in other regions of the country. "We need to look at the meat and dairy complex. If it is effective, let other regions follow the example," said the head of state, addressing the minister.

At the exhibition of products manufactured by OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Butter and Cheese Factory", Alexander Lukashenko tasted the cheeses presented to him. The head of state also familiarized himself with various dairy and meat products produced at the enterprises of the meat and dairy industry of the entire Vitebsk region.

Today, the President also visited the bridge over the Western Dvina River near Verkhnedvinsk. The head of state gave instructions for its construction back in July 2004. Until then, rural residents of the Miory district, who lived on the other side of the Western Dvina, crossed the river by an old ferry, which was often under repair, and later by a pontoon bridge, which was dismantled in the autumn-winter period.

Construction of the new bridge began in 2007 and was completed in 2008. It is 281 m long and designed for modern loads. With its construction, residents of Verkhnedvinsky, Miorsky, Braslavsky, Rossonksy, and Sharkovshchinsky districts gained direct bus service. The volume of freight traffic has increased due to the redistribution of traffic flows and a significant reduction (up to 100 km) in the distance between districts.

The President was generally informed about the prospects for bridge construction in the Vitebsk region. Currently, eight bridges are under construction in the region, but their construction is somewhat hampered by difficulties in metal supply.

The head of state was interested in the progress of crossing the Western Dvina in other major settlements, and the improvement of Verkhnedvinsk itself.-0-