Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1154

Canada Pork International says Russia's ban on the import of pork from the largest pork producing region of Brazil is boosting Russian demand for Canadian pork. Last month Russia banned the import of pork products from the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina citing concerns over the presence of Pseudorabies.

There are, however, accusations that the move is actually retaliation for an antidumping investigation that Brazil has initiated against Russian fertilizers.

Canada Pork International Executive Director Jacques Pomerleau says Santa Catarina represents anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of total Brazilian exports to Russia.

"Brazil is, by far, the largest pork supplier to Russia.

Last year they may have exported as much as 300 thousand tonnes.

If Santa Catarina alone represents at least 50 percent, we are talking about a short coming of at least 150 thousand tonnes a year but we have to be very careful because it could be a very temporary situation.

We know there have been a significant number of requests from Russian buyers in the last days. Keep in mind that the Russian Orthodox Christmas was on the seventh so it's only now we're starting to see some impact and some requests and inquiries and orders coming from Russia. It's difficult to assess how much it represents in terms of potential but there is a definite increase in requests from Russia at this time."

Pomerleau points out Russia is already Canada's fifth largest pork export market accounting for close to 30 thousand tonnes last year but it's one of the most competitive markets in the world. He says it's very price sensitive and countries like Brazil, which have no where else to go, as well as the Europeans and the Americans are represented and the ban could be lifted at any time.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.