OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus is set to accelerate exports of foodstuffs and farm products by 40% by 2015 up to USD 7 billion, Agriculture Minister Leonid Zayats said in a speech at Belagro 2013international farm expo.

“In 2012 Belarus’ exports of agricultural products reached USD 5 billion and are expected to reach USD 7 billion by 2015,” Zayats said.

The minister referred to Belarus’ food industries as the engine of the Belarusian exports. The government has been heavily investing in the technical and technological upgrade of state farms over the last few years.

Russia is a major destination of Belarusian exports of foodstuffs and farm products. As reported by the National Statistics Committee (Belstat), Belarus supplied USD 2.661 billion worth of foodstuffs to Russia in 2012, up 18.7% on the year.