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Romanian meat producers want to set up meat exchange
Romanian meat and livestock producers and processors could be aided in the medium and long run by the authorities through measures such as the setting up of the meat exchange to contribute to market transparency, general manager of Doly-Com, Iulian Cazacut told a specialized press conference on Wednesday, April 3.
'A meat exchange would concentrate the raw material in the common interest of producers and processors, it would create an open market, but also one of information about pricing and the origin of animals and meat. Under the patronage of a regulatory authority, such as the Ministry of Agriculture for instance, the meat exchange would be a credible source and it would clear off all suspicions, both internal and external, about the industry,' said Iulian Cazacut.
According to Doly-Com company estimates, the local beef production (from cows slaughtered in Romania) amounts to about 70 - 80 million euros. The employers in the industry estimate that 10 percent of the total consumption of meat in Romania is beef. Doly-Com estimates a 14 percent market share on the slaughter cattle market which puts him in the position of domestic leader in the supply of beef.
Company representatives appreciated, as following the food scandal early this year, that company exports fell 20 percent, mainly in France and Germany. However they think that by the end of 2013 they will recover these losses.
Doly-Com has budgeted a turnover in 2013 at a similar level to that in 2012, approximately 34 million euros. The company relies on exports for 30 percent of the business in 2013. Of total sales in 2012 beef represents a share of 50 percent, pork 45 percent and horse meat 5 percent. In 2012 the company exported to markets such as Austria, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Germany and countries outside the European Community.
'The authorities can also help us by extending the sanitary-veterinary agreements with non-EU countries so that Romania to be able to export to markets of interest such as Russia and Turkey,' said Iulian Cazacut.