USSEC participated in a technical seminar from April 19 – 21 in Sergiev Posad, Russia. The poultry seminar focused on new technologies in feed production, modern approaches to feeding of high productive crosses, quality control of raw materials, compound feeds and feed additives. It was organized by the Russian Poultry Research Institute (VNITIP).
A total of about 70 people attended this seminar. Attendees predominantly represented Russia’s feed and poultry industry.
USSEC consultant Gonzalo Mateos gave a presentation titled, "Traditional and Novel Ingredients in Practical Poultry Diets: Nutritive Value and Quality Control.” This presentation compared the nutritive value of different protein sources widely used by the EU and Russian poultry industries such as cereals and oilseed meals, clearly showing that variability of nutritive value within an ingredient is very high. Dr. Mateos demonstrated the benefits of soy products in poultry feeding versus other protein sources and provided data for understanding the quality differences in soybean meal (including differences in origin) and the impact on broiler production. The presentation was well received, as evidenced by the number of questions and reactions. The important role of USSEC and U.S. Soy products was clearly appreciated and recognized.
USSEC used this visit to network and gain a better understanding of the Russian markets. Although the current average share of cereals reaches 68 percent in poultry feeding ratios in Russia, the local poultry industry continues to be the main user of soybean meal. Poultry products are very important for Russian customers. Poultry meat occupies a 48 percent share in the structure of meat production in the country. In 2015, Russia produced more than 4.3 million tons of poultry meat in slaughtered weight and more than 42 billion eggs. Per capita, poultry meat production was 30.3 kilograms (kg) and 295 kg of eggs; it is forecasted to grow to 33.5 kg of poultry meat and 308 kg of eggs in 2020, showing that Russia’s demand for high protein feeds will continue to grow. Consequently, USSEC’s marketing efforts are beneficial for the promotion of soy additives in poultry feeding ratios and will further push the demand for U.S. Soy.