PRESSRELEASE: An import ban back in 2014 meant, that for the last four years it has been impossible for any country in the EU to export breeding pigs to Russia. All of that changed on Tuesday 25th of June, when DanBred was allowed to export to Russia again.
Back in 2014 it was decided to stop all import of breeding pigs. Due to the discovery of African swine fever in Poland, all imports were shut down. Ever since it has been impossible to export one of Denmark’s finest commodities; DanBred breeding pigs. But times are changing and for the first time in four years, DanBred shipped 523 breeding pigs from Billund Lufthavn to Russia.
Only boarsemen allowed
Russia has not completely stopped all import. Since 2014 rules allowed for the import of boar semen, which were not a part of the import ban. But it is the first time in four years, that purebred is allowed back in Russia.
– I’m thrilled to watch our first shipment of breeding pigs being shipped off to Russia, says Claus Holmgaard, DanBred, Sales Director and CCO in Greater Europe.
DanBred has been working for years to open up the Russian borders once again, and it took several years to land the deal. An extensive amount of documentation combined with the Russians coming to Denmark and inspect the breeding pigs for themselves proofed fruitful.
– Without our employees and all their hard work of meeting the Russians claims and documentations, we would not have made it this far, says Claus Holmgaard.
“We’ve learned from experience, that a local presence is essential to ensure, that DanBred genetics potential is fully yielded”
Claus Holmgaard, Sales Director and CCO in Greater Europe.
Office in Russia
In the future DanBred plans to send more breeding pigs to Russia, and with two million sows in Russia, some of them will be supplied with DanBred genetics. But not only will DanBred send breeding pigs to Russia – DanBred will also be present in Russia in the future.
– This is a huge opportunity for us and we will establish a local branch DanBred office in Russia with our own employees. We’ve learned from experience, that a local presence is essential to ensure, that DanBred genetics potential is fully yielded, Claus Holmgaard explains.
Today’s shipment of genetics is the first shipment with several more to come. Within the next couple of months DanBred expects to ship more pigs to Russia.
