Meat Russia reports that fresh and frozen meat imports to Russia in January-November 2008 grew by 17.6 per cent to 1.461 million tonnes (mt) against 1.242 mt in the corresponding period in 2007. In value, the increase was 46.9 per cent to $4.413 billion against $3.004 billion last year.

The data from the Federal Customs Service also show fresh and frozen poultry imports down by 5.7 per cent to 1.066 mt against 1.13 mt the previous year, while the value was up 27.5 per cent to $1.159 billion, compared to $908.9 million a year earlier.