Russia lowers poultry imports in Q1, 2003

Russia imported 300,100 tons of poultry in January to March 2003, down 6 percent compared to the corresponding period last year, the State Customs Committee reported. In March, imports reached 138,400 tons, as importers stepped up deliveries ahead of the introduction of the poultry import quota in late April.

Russia's poultry imports are expected to decline this year due to the import quota, amounting to 744,000 tons by the end of the year. In the next two years, the annual volume of the quota is expected at 1.05 million tons, the Russia Journal reported.