Imlek sends 300 tons of white cheese to Russia per month

GM at Imlek, Slobodan Petrovic, announced that the company has recently agreed export of white cheese to Russia in quantities double than the ones placed at Serbian market but that this big exporting opportunity could be endangered with the decisions of the Government to decrease premium on milk.

- A few days ago we finally got export permit and this month we are starting with the export to Russia. We agreed to export 300 tons a month which is double than the quantity sold in Serbia per month – Petrovic said for Tanjug.

He added that Russian buyers will not be able to take all quantities in the first months because they will need time to get used to Imlek’s cheese and that full capacity could be reaches in two or three months.

Petrovic says Serbian cheese producers, even before the visit of the Russian president Vladimir Putin, recognized the chance to export to the market because Russian were exporting large quantities of cheese from EU since they lack raw milk and 10 liters of raw milks is necessary for one kilogram of cheese.

Apart from Imlek in Serbia, according to him, there are other companies which can use this exporting chance such as Zrenjanin-based Mlekoprodukt, Sabacka mlekara and Kuc dairy.

Petrovic warns that positive tendencies in export could be endangered with the decision of the Government to decrease premium on milk which could happen.

- Export to Russia will not negatively affect quantities Imlek is placing at the local market because the company is planning to, through export and positioning at the Russian market, permanently increase quantities of raw milk produced in Serbia. That kind of a decision would make export to Russia impossible and it would endanger local market as well. Therefore, Imlek expects milk premium to stay at the same level as they have been so far – it was confirmed in the announcement the company delivered to eKapija.

Suboticka mlekara, which will merge to Imlek, also received exporting permit to Customs Union. More details on merging is available HERE.