Potential for replacing imported food products is 294.4 billion rubles in Bashkiria

The total volume of food production in Bashkortostan is 167.1 billion rubles. At the same time, the republican market consumes products worth 461.5 billion rubles. Thus, the potential for substitution of imported goods is 294.4 billion rubles. Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Agriculture of the Republic Ilshat Fazrakhmanov at the "Rural Hour" session explained that the existing economic potential allows the processing industry to take a leading position in the Volga Federal District. It is necessary to build a distribution chain of manufacturers, processors, and trade links for all goods groups to this end.

The problem is solved in several directions. The agricultural cooperative movement has made significant progress in the cultivation and primary processing of products. In 2018–2019, 276 cooperatives were created in Bashkortostan, of which 181 are in the field of processing. In 2020 - 34 more cooperatives. Their total revenue should reach 1.5 billion rubles in 2020.

The launch of idle processing plants will make it possible to receive goods for another 14 billion rubles. According to Ilshat Fazrakhmanov, these capacities will be offered to investors for the implementation of new projects. Another area is the development of the trade industry, in which we also intend to use the capabilities of agricultural cooperatives actively. More than 40 cooperatives have already submitted their proposals in this part. This will enable us to cover about 700 small and remote settlements with trade facilities. Grant support and subsidies for purchasing local raw materials and trade equipment are required to facilitate these initiatives.

The Head of Bashkortostan instructed the government to finalize the submitted proposals taking into account the municipalities' position and present them at one of the next sessions of the "Rural Hour".