Russia May Buy Western Butter

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32235, 2 March 1970, Page 13

Russia May Buy Western Butter

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent)

LONDON, March 1.

The Soviet Union is expected to be a major buyer this year of butter produced within the European Economic Community.

Reports from Moscow say that Russia is willing to buy between 50,000 tons and 80,000 tons from the Community to make up for a shortage in her domestic supplies. Negotiations are said to have taken place already in West Germany, and other talks.have either begun or are planned in the Netherlands and France. Poland, too, is believed to be seeking dairy supplies from the Community. This Eastern European interest in dairy purchases from Western Europe is part of a widespread food-buying programme. Domestic production shortfalls and a greater demand for the food products of the West have certainly

contributed to it: but the Soviet Union is also running a better trade balance with Western Europe, having increased her sales of oil and natural gas outside the Eastern bloc. New Zealand and Australia have benefited from Russia’s internal beef shortage, having both received large orders for future supplies. Imports of beef from Western Europe are also being increased. Orders have been placed in Western Europe this year for[ about 20,000 tons of broiler chickens and more than 5000 tons of pig meat. Skimmed milk powder produced within the Common Market is also wanted by Rus- [ sia. I