“Currently, Russian manufacturers in all regions can trade their livestock through certified brokers, and the access will be given to our foreign partners so they have the opportunity to purchase animals. We are ready to trade all kinds of cattle and horses. Preparations for small ruminants are already underway,” Roman Kostiuk told V&L.
The agreement on the launch of an online livestock trading platform was signed by the representatives of five Eurasian Meat Union member countries on May 26, 2022, during the Eurasian Forum in Bishkek. The union's members are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Russia.
“Today the opportunity to offer your product openly is one of the major tools for attracting investors and getting a fair price for your livestock. That is why the open online livestock trading platform has been developed, entirely B2B. That is not a direct e-commerce marketplace, it involves certified brokers, who provide clear livestock traceability and characteristics. The platform supports purchase of livestock through controlled digital deals: with details on product, seller, and transaction. This platform was supported by Rosselkhoznadzor and by the Federal Scientific Center for Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences,” said Roman Kostiuk.
He also explained, that online trading platform is rather a database for digital trade transactions than a livestock market and added that professional livestock markets are being gradually launched in Russia. For example, a site in the Altai Republic, currently under construction, as well as a cattle market in Moscow region waiting for paperwork to be settled, and negotiations concerning Ryazan Region.
The concern about the lack of livestock markets in Russia has been expressed earlier by the National Union of Beef Producers.