South Africa hesitant, Turkey and Serbia see potantial in Russia

According to Russian importers has the Southern Hemisphere hasn't got enough volume to fill the gap of banned countries. Most of the product has already been sold, so they have to take it into account for next season. Importers say that the time where Russian consumers had their own garden is over. They have work to do and are developing. They will feel the consequence of the boycott. Medvedev announced that retailers or other players who will drive prices up will be punished. The question that raises is how to keep prices low, if they import an apple from Chile instead of Poland.

Turkey, Serbia and South Africa
Hortgro is still trying to figure out the whole impact for the South African apples and pear exports. "There will be a lot more fruit around on the EU market, due EU not being able to export it, this is not good for South Africa," said Jacques du Preez.
A lot of RSA fruit gets shipped through Holland, he is not sure how this would be classified by Russia. At the moment some does go direct, but he doesn't know more at this moment.

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce is very optimistic about the national fruitexport after the boycot is announced. The Chamber chairman Zelijko Sertic said that there are 768 Serbian countrieswho export to the Russian market. "It is quite clear that Russia needs other countires. We are started with the export of the first plums and other agricultural products."

Turkey also sees great opportunities to deliver to Russia. Ali Kavak from the Mediterranean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Union expects an increase of Russian export. There are more than 300 Turkish companies, who are allowed to deliver fruit and vegetables to Russia.

Spain and Cyprus
"While fruit exporters weren't involved in the political game, they are hardly affected," explains Nacho Martin of Consorfrut. "Each producer and exporter will feel the affects, depending on the product. We expect that 25% of the Spanish horticulture will be hit."

"The kakifruit will have a difficult autumn and winter. At the monet the stonefruit season was already bad, but the boycott makes it a disaster."

"Spain doesn't send a lot citrus to Russia. That is more exported from countries like Morocco, Egypt and Turkey. The last three years the Spanish volume has been quite stable. But the sector is worried about the consequences of this crisis," says Alejandro Peiro of Peiro Camaro. "The ban is hitting Russia as well. They have less places to import. This will have a different price tag," concludes Nacho Martin.

Cyprus has been hit hard by the ban. Mainly the citrus exports at a value 10,7 million euro to Russia. The vegetable exports to Russia were 627.000 euro per year.