Russia will replace Moldovan fruit with Polish, Italian and Czech

Russia imposed an embargo on Moldovan fruit, even in the contents of passengers’ hand luggage. Apples will be affected the most, however experts are positive about price stability. The embargo was imposed July, 21st on import of fresh apples, pears, quince, as well as apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines and black thorn. Moreover, the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service prohibited these items in hand luggage and checked baggage of passengers coming from Moldova.

These measures were caused by a large amount of violations in regards to fresh products import rules. Ion Sul, the Head of National Food Safety Agency in Moldova, admitted that laboratory control of goods intended for Russia was not conducted to the full extent. This was fraught with a risk of contamination with quarantine pests, and consequently, could lead to significant losses for Russian agriculture.

Russian embargo relates to apples most of all, says Igor Mukhanin, the Head of Russian Association of Gardeners. In 2012 the main import of apples came from Poland, but in 2013 the situation changed and Moldova had the leading position in Russian import. It should be understood that Moldova itself is not an outstanding producer of fruit and berries, it is a large re-exporter. About 1,280,000 tonnes of apples were imported into Russia from Europe last year; our domestic production is 620 000 tonnes.

However, prices are expected to stay the same, as other countries will start to import products into Russia, Mukhanin notes. Poland and the Baltics are likely to become the main suppliers of apples; Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic, Romania, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Hungary – of other fruit and berries.