According to the CEO of Health & Nutrition company (previously known as "Danone Russia") Yakub Zakriev, by maintaining the current trend of increasing consumption of dairy products, Russia could reach the consumption level typical of the Soviet times by the next decade. In the late 1980s, the average consumption of milk and dairy products was about 390 kilograms per year.
The current recommended norm for dairy consumption, recalculated to milk, according to the Ministry of Health, is 325 kilograms per person per year. By 2024, the per capita consumption reached 250 kilograms, which is the highest level in nearly three decades, emphasized Zakriev. In his opinion, maintaining the established growth rate of consumption at 3-5% per year will allow to return to the Soviet era figures in a period ranging from eight to 14 years.
He stated that the average level of dairy consumption in the world is 116-118 kilograms per person per year. Thus, compared to this indicator, the level of consumption in the Russian Federation more than doubles the specified value, noted the head. Further increase in consumption in the country will be based on a balanced pricing policy, as well as on expanding the range of products and supporting the agricultural business by the state, Zakriev is confident.
The Deputy Director of Economics of the Dairy Union Alexander Rybin previously stated to "Agroinvestor" that the capabilities of Russian dairy enterprises will allow to meet the internal demand as it grows, although there is a certain lack of raw materials for processing, as mentioned in the material. The production of raw milk is also increasing, but not as rapidly as the demand is growing, he emphasized. Therefore, the main task for increasing consumption is the continued increase in raw material production to supply processors, Rybin insists.
