"When Russia was looking to diversify in the meat [import] market, we saw that the world's largest beef producers, such as the United States and Brazil, sought to monopolize this market," said Sergei Dankvert, the head of Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight, in an interview with RIA Novosti.
He said Russia started looking for alternative markets, as a result of which its trade with Argentina increased substantially, to $1.11 billion in 2006 (up 60.4% on 2005) primarily beef supplies.
"Russia has become the largest importer of agricultural produce from Argentina. Last year, Russia had a trade deficit of over $800 million," he said, adding Buenos Aires could lift antidumping restrictions on Russian metal deliveries to Argentina and open up its market to Russian energy companies to correct the trade imbalance.
He said other beef suppliers in Latin America include Uruguay and Paraguay.
Dankvert, who is also Russian co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Russian-Argentinean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, said Argentina could soon lift restrictions on Russian metal deliveries and recognize Russia as a market economy.
He said a decision could be made next month.
