MOSCOW: Russian government stimulates export of exotic products by tax incentives during the next two year. The country will target on production and export of deer horns, cedar nuts, wild fruits and mushrooms, which are considered as goods with high added value, shows the program of the Agriculture Ministry by 2020.
According to the document, the government agencies planned compensation for transport costs, customs duties and export certificates for deer horns. This is particularly true for young, blood-filled horns that are used in alternative medicine and cosmetics. The main importers of these products are the Asian countries.
In 2016, the Republic of Altai delivered more than 13.7 tons of deer horns to Hong Kong, but exports to Korea have declined. Last year, a total of 91 tons of horns was exported from Russia for over 28 million USD.
The country also planes incentives for the export of wild mushrooms, berries, nuts, birch juice and herbs that will be promoted through protected geographic names. The producers are considering tax preferences similar to farmers. A program for the development of food forest resources will be developed, legislation is being planned and modernized.
“The major part of the forests used to harvest mushrooms, berries and nuts is in the Far East and Siberia”, said the Director of the Union of Processors of Wild Plants, Natalia Bobyleva. “It is expected to promote the brands Wildflower and Siberian cedar nut”, added she.
However, manufacturers need to find new sales channels. It is possible that in the realization of the program, Russian wildlife products will increase not only in foreign but also in local stores.
