In the first half of the year, both sales and production in the food industry recorded growth, according to Abia, the association representing the sector.
Sales grew 3.2% in real terms, while production rose 2.6%. The performance was driven by exports and the continued recovery of the domestic market, particularly in out-of-home catering, according to Abia.
According to Abia, the international political-economic situation favored exports.
High international commodity prices, the continuation of the war in Ukraine, and firm demand for food in the world contributed to the growth of sales in the foreign market, which reached US$27 billion in the first half of the year, 30.5% more than in the same period of 2021.
In terms of volume, the increase was 0.4%.
The main export goods include animal proteins, flour, sugars, oils, and fats.
The food industry also recorded an increase in the number of workers.
The number of employees in this sector increased by 1.6% in January-June 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, and the number of jobs increased by 36.8 thousand.