About 90% of Belarusian food supplies are shipped to Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, the press service of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry told BelTA.
Belarusian First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Vitaly Kulak is taking part in the 11th conference of agriculture ministers of SCO member states, which is taking place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Taking part in the forum are heads of agricultural government agencies of India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Belarus, which gained full SCO membership in July 2024, views agribusiness as a strategic priority. Agriculture accounts for about 7% of the country’s GDP while food export makes up a quarter of the total merchandise export. Today about 90% of Belarus’ food deliveries are shipped to SCO countries.
“Belarus is capable of making a significant contribution to ensuring food security for SCO member states by producing and supplying the association’s market with high-quality products at affordable prices,” Vitaly Kulak emphasized in his speech.
During the conference key initiatives are being discussed: the creation of an electronic platform SCO Food Security Atlas, the development of organic farming, cooperation in breeding and seed production as well as interaction with the UN FAO.
Belarus speaks for the formation of a common scientific and technical space, joint research, and the creation of import-substituting industries. Special attention is paid to the digitization of agriculture, combating soil degradation, and developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
Bilateral meetings have been held with the heads of agricultural government agencies of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. To boost trade, the sides agreed to make greater use of exhibition venues. The AgroSCO 2026: Growth Strategy forum, dedicated to export cooperation, logistics, and agricultural education, will take place at the Belagro site in Minsk in June.
The Agriculture and Food Ministry noted that the implementation of the agreed initiatives will strengthen the technological sovereignty of SCO member states and increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the global market.