Serbia and Azerbaijan step up to supply Russia
Serbian growers plan to establish a new record in apple exports to Russia this year. Optimistic expectations are connected with active ban on imports of Polish and Moldavian imports in Russia, the countries that accounted for more than a half of Russia's total apple imports. Last year Russia's imports of Serbian apples were two and a half times as high as registered in the previous season, which enabled Serbia for the first time to enter the top three exporters of apples to Russia. According to the international experts' expectations, Serbia will have the record high apple production this year, which, under conditions of current market environment, enables to count on a significant increase in exports.
Local farmers have already reported high demand from the side of Russian importers, who now have to find alternatives to Polish and Moldavian apples. Thus, Serbian growers plan to raise exports to Russia by at least 30%.
Azerbaijan is also ready to increase fruit and vegetable exports to Russia, according to president of Azerbaijan's Exports and Investment Fund, Rufat Mamedov.
"Russia is Azerbaijan's traditional trade partner and we are ready to enhance mutual ties," he said.
According to the expert, Azerbaijan produces much more fruit and vegetables than Russia consumes at the moment, so it can increase deliveries substantially.
"Last year Azerbaijan produced 250 thousand tons of apples, while Russia consumed only 37 thousand tons of them. The same is true for pears. Azerbaijan produced 40 thousand tons, while only 168 tons were delivered to Russia," he said.
Speaking about the possible establishment of a joint agricultural enterprise, the expert said that the Azerbaijani side will be ready to launch such a project if Russia is interested in it.
