Otrada will become the exclusive partner in Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Armenia for PIC’s lines PICX54 (F1 female), PICL04 (Landrace), PICL05 (Yorkshire) and the PIC800 (Duroc). This relationship combines PIC’s leading genetic program and genetics with Otrada’s operational excellence in elite genetic production, distribution and customer service. As a result, Russian producers will have direct access to the highest quality genetics and the relevant local support.

Otrada is a leading porcine genetic production and distribution company operating in Russia for over 15 years and has been a key enabler of the expansion of the Russian pig industry. Russia has now reached self-sufficiency in pig production and has an opportunity to grow and become a leading exporter provided an improvement of its production efficiency occurs. Otrada intends to invest in its breeding stock supply infrastructure to help Russian producers capture the opportunity. The investment plans include the end-to-end process of collecting phenotype and genotype data, addition of state-of-the-art testing and data acquisition equipment to accelerate genetic gain, and the introduction of semen distribution capabilities.

As part of the collaboration, PIC will run the genetic programme for Otrada and integrate the genetics from Otrada with relevant PIC genetics. PIC will apply the latest technology to accelerate the rate of genetic gain and will focus on traits that are important to the Russian market. PIC continues to distribute products including the PIC Camborough and the PIC 337 through its subsidiary company Genetika PIC in Russia.

Russian producers will get multiple benefits from this strategic relationship. They will see direct access to top quality genes without having to import them, which is the result of the status of Otrada’s nucleus farm within the PIC system. They will experience an acceleration of the rate of genetic gain which is the result of combining PIC’s and Otrada’s populations, applying PIC’s world-class genetic program to these populations, and optimising the selection goals of the new PIC lines for the Russian market.

“This is a pivotal moment for Otrada” says Patrick Hoffmann, CEO and main shareholder of Otrada. “PIC’s genetic and technological leadership as well as its global scale is a complementary fit for Otrada’s deep understanding of the Russian market and experience. Together, we can offer our customers access to these new PIC lines with a world class genetic potential and supporting them locally in turning this potential into actual performances.”

Jürgen Kramer, General Manager for PIC Europe adds: “We look forward to the relationship with Otrada. Otrada’s distribution network, expertise in animal production and understanding of the Russian market makes the collaboration compelling. Through PIC’s existing operations in Russia and the new strategic relationship with Otrada, PIC can offer Russian producers the options that best fit for their systems to make them successful.”