OREANDA-NEWS. The agricultural output of Belarus is expected to rise by 2.5% by the end of the current year. More than half of the output is exported, Vice Premier Mikhail Rusyi told the parliament.

According to the source, Belarus is one of the world's top-5 dairy exporters. Around 98% of the country's cheese output is exported.

During the current year Belarus' Russia-bound food exports grew 15%, Rusyi said. In his words, Russia's import ban that applies to several Belarusian food-making companies is an unfair method of competition rather than a justified action.

To eliminate unnecessary allegations, Belarus suggests that an independent food quality control laboratory should be established within the framework of the Customs Union, Rusyi said.

As previously reported, Russia's veterinary and phytosanitary watchdog imposed an import ban on meat and dairy products supplies of eight Belarusian companies from November 26.

"Due to the seriousness of violations the service has decided to impose temporary restrictions on supplies to Russia of production by Belarussian companies, including Agrokombinal Skidelsky, Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Plant, Servolux Agro, Vitebsk Meat Packing Plant, Zhlobinsky Meat Processing Plant, Kalinkovichsky Meat Processing Plant, Rogachev milk canning plant and Rassvet Poultry Factory," the official message said.