Russian biotechnology exports target growth markets in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America

GELENDZHIK, October 5. /TASS/. Markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America are promising destinations for Russian biotechnology exports, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov told reporters on the sidelines of the Bioprom forum.

"For biotechnology, markets where food production, livestock farming, aquaculture, and pharmaceuticals are growing but domestic technology chains are not yet sufficiently developed are particularly promising. These include Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America," he said.

Following reduced access to European markets, Russian companies have been expanding more actively into China, India, Turkey, the UAE and other Persian Gulf countries, CIS countries, Africa, and Latin America.

Products being promoted in export markets include feed enzymes, probiotics and starter cultures, amino acids, feed proteins and concentrates, enzyme preparations for the food industry, starch products, biological crop protection products, and others.

"These products are in demand because they help reduce the cost of producing meat, milk, fish, bread, and food ingredients. Russian suppliers also benefit from the relatively low cost of grain feedstock, energy, and a number of production resources," the minister noted.

Speaking about potential joint projects with other countries, Alikhanov stressed that Russia always welcomes any cooperation between domestic producers and friendly countries. "First and foremost, this facilitates technology transfer and scientific development, which has a significant impact on the development of Russia’s biotechnology industry," he concluded.