Łukašenka says agricultural sector has “competitive advantage,” mentions export problems

November 18, BPN. Belarus’ farms have “a significant competitive advantage” as the country buys energy at much lower prices than the “advanced democracies of Western Europe,” Alaksandr Łukašenka has said at a meeting with farmers.

He said Belarus had always had the problem of finding where to sell its products. “Even our dear neighboring state [Russia] has not always let our products into its market,” he said, as quoted by his press office. “Times have seriously changed: today, there is plenty of euros and dollars, while the Russian ruble is good. Because we buy everything we need for the countryside with rubles, I am talking about petroleum products and natural gas.”

He went on to say that Belarus “has a huge market.” “Almost every week [Deputy Prime Minister] Leanid Kanstancinavič Zajac reports on sales. I ask him one question: if there was more produce today, would you sell it? He answers like a farmer: easy!”

“This is the most important thing, to have a market where you can put your agricultural products. What’s more, this market is exceptionally marginal. Agriculture has never experienced these prices. Take advantage of this time,” he concluded.