In 2026, it is necessary to increase the share of sales of Belarusian goods to 58 percent – MART representative

The share of sales of all domestically produced goods by trade organizations for the first half of the year was 54.6 percent. One of the targets for 2026 is to bring the indicator to 58 percent. This was stated at a press conference “Import substitution in the food industry: ensuring the quality and availability of goods for citizens” head of the Department of trade and catering of the Ministry of antimonopoly regulation and trade Natalia Melnikova. It was another meeting with journalists from the series of press events "Our - above ground!" I buy Belarusians! as part of a nationwide campaign to develop conscious consumer patriotism.

According to the representative of MART, within the framework of the import substitution program, the Ministry, together with the regional executive committees and the Minsk City Executive Committee, annually develops lists of import-substituting goods. For 2026, this list consists of 366 commodity items, including 25 food items and 341 non-food items. It has two groups. The first is goods that are produced in the country, but not in sufficient quantities. For food products there are 16 positions. The second group is goods that are not produced in Belarus. There are 9 food items there.

- Of course, it is very difficult to surprise our buyer with a new range of food products today, said Natalia Melnikova. But now, for example, hard cheeses, which we have not previously produced, semi-solid, super-hard, are being successfully replaced. It is also new groups of confectionery, fruit juices, delicacies, frozen vegetables. Of non-food products - detergents and cleaning products, cosmetic and other groups of goods. Of the goods that we did not produce, began the production of caramel on a stick, cakes and cakes.

She added that in order to promote Belarusian goods, including import-substituting ones, the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade is working together with interested parties. In particular, the MART resolution on lists of goods was adopted, where all varieties, which are defined by this resolution, should be only of Belarusian production in trade organizations. The document came into force on September 10 this year.

Work is also underway to join the agreement, which was developed by MART, on cooperation in the field of improving the efficiency of sales of domestically produced goods. Currently, more than a thousand business entities have joined it. A similar agreement was signed with Internet sites. Almost weekly, the ministry holds working meetings with manufacturers, retail chains, regional executive committees, the Minsk City Executive Committee, government agencies, line ministries and concerns on the promotion of Belarusian products, including import-substituting ones. Monthly - thematic seminars on promotion of various groups of Belarusian goods.

- Retains popularity among the population and preferential lending for native goods. - continued Natalia Melnikova. Since the beginning of the relevant resolution, about 300 thousand contracts worth more than 2 billion rubles have been concluded. The Ministry received a significant number of applications to expand the list of credited goods. The issue is being considered at the government level.

She also said that our manufacturers are able to produce products, but we still need to learn how to promote it, to actively develop marketing.

gedroiz@sb.by