The section Russian Meat presents analysis of the situation on the beef market. The cattle population continues to dwindle. On 1st August 2005 cattle number in all types of agro farms was 23,9 mln heads, that 7,2% lower than the same data previous year. Cow numbers - 10,2 mln heads ( 7,2% lower). Beef production decreased by 9,3% to 1125 thousand ton.
The subsection World Meat reports on a major global exporter of beef, Brazil, which delivers meat to more than 150 countries, its cattle herds numbering over 195 mln heads. This summer the bird flu has reached Russia too. Experts believe that the natural source of virus was migrant waterfowl, including wild ducks. As a result, private livestock suffered in six regions – Novosibirsk, Tymen, Omsk, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk Regions and Altai Territory, where up to 120000 poultry were destroyed. The owners receive compensation of 100 to 200 roubles per fowl perished – for more details on the situation please see the subsection Issue's Feature.
Holder of a US passport, Russian at heart, Andrei Danilenko, who is president of the group of companies Russkiye Fermy, or Russian Farms, believes that today this country is the most promising place for building and developing agribusiness. The subsection Issue's Personality presents his account of his achievements and plans to promote agribusiness.
With its farm produce exports worth 32 bln euros, Germany holds fourth place in the world «table of ranks» among farm produce exporting countries after the USA, France and the Netherlands. For more details about the country's meat sector please see the subsection Spotlight on a Country.
When producing meat foods, it is important to use not only quality raw materials and flavouring and colouring agents, but also specialist equipment. What experts are guided by when they source equipment is reported in the subsection Business Technologies. The company ILAPAK, Switzerland, is engaged in production, delivery and maintenance of packaging machinery. The company AGRO-3 is an exclusive supplier of equipment to produce smoked uncooked sausages made by the Mauting firm. For more details about the firms and their services please see the subsection Business Technologies. Many people can hardly imagine now their life without Internet, they spend their time in the world wide web not only for fun but for work as well. Recently it has become increasingly popular to use specialist electronic media for trading. They can be used not only for posting your offer in real time, specifying the items you have available at the moment, but also for finding new clients, looking up prices, learning the latest news on the market. For example, www.eMeat.ru offers its registered users not only a chance to market their commodity, but also to post an enquiry for the raw material needed. This is also covered in Business Technologies.
Farming is suffering from a severe shortage of labour. What experts are particularly sought after and who trains work force for the agribusiness is discussed in the subsection Personnel.
The list of the landmark visits in the guest book of the restaurant Tsarskaya Okhota, or Tsar's Hunt, includes the following entry: «We, two presidents of France and Russia, visited here…» That was Boris Yeltsin who brought his friend Jacques to give him an insight into the Russian cultural and prove that «Russia is a country with market-oriented economy». For more details about one of Arkady Novikov's restaurants please see the subsection HoReCa.