What Enabled Belarus to Drastically Increase Milk Production and Export Two-Thirds of Its Products

1. Presidential Initiative

In 2003, Alexander Lukashenko set the goal of transitioning milk production to an industrial basis. He also initiated the mass modernization of farms and the construction of dairy complexes, keeping the industry under constant control, demanding results, and protecting funding. This factor distinguishes Belarus fr om neighboring countries, wh ere dairy development did not have such a clear political priority.

2. Industrialization of Animal Husbandry

Before the reforms, the milk yield was just over 2000 kg per cow. Belarus changed its technological model:

A network of modern dairy complexes was established

• By 2025 — 1700 complexes, which means 59% of all farms,

• but they produce 80% of the country's milk.

Key technologies were applied:

• loose housing,

• industrial-type milking parlors,

• automation of feeding and accounting processes.

An example of the SPC 'Snov': the transition to the dairy complex allowed an increase in yield fr om 7251 kg in 2004 to over 12,000 kg in 2025.

3. Genetics and Selection: Focus on High-Yield Breeds

Belarus created its own dairy breed: the Belholstein, with a genetic potential of up to 12,000 kg per cow per year. Then, the formation of a new breed began, combining the productivity of Holsteins and the resilience of red cattle. This selection work is an investment of almost 25 years, which explains the steady growth in yields.

4. Feed Base and Agronomic Management

The country systematically improved feed production:

• ration optimization,

• silage management, preservation, compaction,

• pasture infrastructure development.

The quality of feed is one of the key drivers of milk growth.

5. Decline in the Share of Personal Farms and Transfer of Production to Large Farms

The share of milk from the population sharply decreased: from 40% in the early 2000s to 2% in 2025. Production is concentrated in large, managed structures wh ere it is easier to implement technologies, genetics, and quality control.

6. Processing Industry

In parallel, Belarus built and modernized processing:

• over 1900 types of whole milk products,

• 390 types of cheese,

• automation of production.

For example, 'Babushkina Krynka' progressed fr om basic products to 300 SKUs, 40% of which are exported.

The country is building new plants in Shklov and Volkovysk for a tripling of processing and expansion of baby food exports.

7. Deep Processing and Added Value

Previously, whey was discarded — now it is almost fully processed:

• annual revenue — about $100 million.

Simultaneously, the production of functional foods is developing:

• products for sports, the elderly, hospital patients,

• high-protein and lactose-free lines.

This allows for increasing the margin of the export portfolio.

8. Aggressive Export Strategy

Belarus produces:

• about 1 ton of milk per person,

• of which it consumes only 250 kg,

• 2/3 of the volume — is exported.

The products are supplied to 55 countries, and the geography expands annually.

9. Institutional Stability and Long-Term Planning

Belarus operates on five-year cycles, wh ere:

• goals for yields, dairy complexes, processing are set,

• funding is guaranteed by the state,

• the industry is protected from political fluctuations.

This allowed the country to achieve what took decades in Europe in 20–25 years.

Conclusion: A Systematic Model, Not a One-Time Factor

The success of Belarus is the result of a combination of:

✔ political priority,
✔ technological breakthrough,
✔ selection,
✔ feed management,
✔ industrialization,
✔ processing,
✔ export and marketing,
✔ stable agricultural policy.

This model is one of the most consistent cases of dairy sector modernization in the post-Soviet space, which is currently being studied by Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.