Last year, exports of agricultural products from Russia exceeded $ 20.7 billion (+ 21.1% by 2016). The share of food products and agricultural raw materials in the commodity structure of Russian exports was 5.8%, the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture reports with reference to customs data. 
From February 27 to March 1, the Russian Industrial Forum was held in Ufa, which united specialized exhibitions 'Machine Building', 'Machine Tool Building', 'Woodworking', 'Means of Protection' and 'Innovation Potential of Ufa'. Scientists - academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented their opinion on the problems of development of domestic industry at the Forum. 
Protix, producer of insect protein production, and Hendrix Genetics, global multi-species animal genetics company, will team up to develop an insect breeding programme. The programme aims to further improve the potential of insects as an efficient protein converter from feedstock to ingredient. 
The Altai Territory approved a new type of state support for farms that deal with dairy and meat cattle breeding. One of the goals is to increase the volume of beef production, for which the authorities will allocate about 90 million rubles, said the head of the regional ministry of agriculture, Alexander Chebotaev. 
China, the largest consumer of beef, pork and poultry, is facing a new consumer trend. According to a PTI report quoted by the Financial Express, more and more Chinese are switching to a vegetarian diet. The new trend led to an increase in consumption of vegetables and fruits and a decrease in sales of pork, beef and poultry. 
The grain yield in Russia in the current agricultural year can reach 110-115 million tons, the export potential is 50-52 million tons. This assessment was voiced by Anatoly Kutsenko, Director of the Department of Economics, Investments and Regulation of Agroindustry Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
March 16, webinar on document circulation and veterinary and sanitary requirements for the sale of seed bulls was held by 'Genetics & Breeding of Cattle Practice' of Omsky Biocluster (in pursuance of the decision of the expert commission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Omsk region to conduct explanatory work with specialists agricultural enterprises of Omsk region on issues of document circulation and veterinary and sanitary requirements for the sale of seed bulls-producers). 
China's Commerce Ministry said Tuesday it has approved Bayer AG's plan to buy Monsanto Co. but the buyer will have to spin off some assets, among other conditions. The ministry ordered Bayer to spin off some businesses globally, including vegetable seeds, corn, soybean, cotton, and herbicide, according to a statement posted on the ministry’s website.