Russia absorbed around 3% of our exports on average, but we must also consider that often other produce passes through Lithuania before reaching Russia, so the figure could rise to 4%. In terms of value, Italian exports represent €80 million per year on average.
In order to assess the extent of the negative effects of the ban, we need to keep in mind the exports of our main competitor countries, which will be directing their produce towards other destinations, thus causing an oversupply.
The Russian market was important especially for some fruit such as apples, table grapes, kiwis, peaches and nectarines, pears and plums.
Italy: Main fruit exports towards Russia (tons)
Source: CSO processing of Istat data
We must therefore analyse which are the growing markets demanding these products.
Starting with kiwis, the most interesting markets are China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Kiwi imports (tons)
Source: FAO
Italy: kiwi exports to the Far East (tons)
Source: Istat
Italy has been strengthening its presence on these markets in the past few years, increasing its shipments from the 6,300 tons of the 2007/08 campaign to the 13,700 tons of the 2012/13 campaign (+118%).
North America is also quite interesting from this point of view, as it has been increasing its imports.
Kiwi imports (tons)
Source: FAO
Italy: kiwi exports to North America (tons)
Soutce: Istat
Another destination is Brazil, as Italian kiwi exports have been increasing from the few thousand tons of a few years ago to the current 10,000 average tons. The Middle East also absorbs around the same quantity of Italian kiwis.
The apple situation is similar. Apple exports to Russia started very slowly with just 18,000 tons in 2013 but have now reached 900,000 tons in some seasons.
North Africa and the Middle East are growing.
Apple imports (tons)
Source: FAO
Italy: apple exports to North Africa (tons)
Source: Istat
Apple exports to North Africa grew quickly to over 100,000 tons and almost amounted to 60,000 tons in the Middle East.
The apple situation is similar. Apple exports to Russia started very slowly with just 18,000 tons in 2013 but have now reached 900,000 tons in some seasons.
North Africa and the Middle East are growing.
Apple imports (tons)
Source: FAO
Italy: apple exports to North Africa (tons)
Source: Istat
Apple exports to North Africa grew quickly to over 100,000 tons and almost amounted to 60,000 tons in the Middle East.
Italy: apple exports to the Middle East (tons)
Source: Istat
As regards pears, the most interesting areas are North Africa with Algeria and Libya, and the Middle East, especially the Arab Emirates. Brazil is also interesting for some particular varieties.
Pear imports (tons)
Source: FAO
Where peaches and nectarines, plums and table grapes are concerned, possibilities are reduced to nearer countries in North Africa, Middle East and Northern Europe.
Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia must be monitored to take advantage of new export opportunities, as their markets supply 350 million people.
In addition, we mustn't forget the Far East market for apples and pears, which though is not available for our production at the moment.
Apple imports (tons)
Source: FAO
Unfortunately, apart from Hong Kong, all these destinations are not available because of phitosanitary barriers, but they are increasingly interested in our produce, so we have been working on a solution.
Knowing all these countries is therefore essential to develop new opportunities. With this in mind, the CSO-Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli di Ferrara has launched a new project called Mappatura with the aim of studying all developing markets to favour the internationalisation process of Italian companies.