McDonald’s removes salads from Russian menu

Bulgaria desires a higher compensation from the EU for growers. Despite the country’s small stake in the agricultural market, Bulgarians do expect to suffer significant losses. Greek growers expect problems to be the biggest later this month, or in October. Hopes are pinned on the Turkish market, where the increased export to Russia could cause a shortage there. Meanwhile, the Moldovan government is at its wit’s end. The country is not an EU member, but is part of the ban. To offer growers some compensation, the country is in talks with the World Bank, among others. And in Russian supermarkets, bananas, citrus and kiwifruit from Crimea are emerging.

McDonald’s Russia stops selling salad
The Russian branch of McDonald’s is removing salads from its menu. According to the fast food chain, since the boycott the quality of ingredients has worsened. Because the quality no longer meets McDonald’s standards, the salads have been taken off the menu. Previously, Russian authorities closed down several branches of the fast food chain, after bacteria was found on lettuce leaves. According to McDonald’s, the decision to scratch salads is not connected to the closed restaurants.

Greek worries for seasonal peak
Greek growers on Crete and in Preveza are worried about the consequences of the boycott. The biggest tomato growers can be found in these regions. They fear that prices will go down as other countries, for instance in the Balkans and Spain and Italy, look for new markets. The Greeks are pinning their hopes on the Turkish trade agreement with Russia. “If the Turks can’t meet Russian demand, we expect the Turks to start buying Greek tomatoes,” a Greek tomato grower says.
On Crete, the cucumber harvest is good. Many cucumbers were exported to Russia directly, or through Poland. October will see the peak of the tomato, cucumber, bell pepper and eggplant harvest. The growers are expecting problems finding new markets. In addition, there’s competition from Spanish and Italian producers who export their produce to Greece. Losses of 60 million Euro are expected on a total revenue of 200 million Euro.

In Preveza, cucumber prices are between 13 and 15 cents, which isn’t bad. For other producers, prices are also still at a normal level. Problems are expected to start on September 25. The peak of the tomato season is around this date, a large part of which was exported to Russia via Bulgaria. These growers are hoping for a shortage in Turkey.

In Imathia, the season started off well, but price started going down around August 15. The impact of the ban is limited because the region doesn’t export to Russia. In Filiatra, the consequences are also limited. Decreasing prices are expected, however.

Bananas from Crimea?
In Russian supermarkets, after Belarusian pineapples, bananas from Crimea are now turning up. The ‘local’ bananas are cheaper than the imported bananas being stocked before; 1005 roubles (20 Euro) per kilo for imported bananas, against 56 roubles (1.1 Euro) per kilo for bananas from Crimea. Apart from Crimean bananas, citrus and kiwifruit is also on offer under the label ‘Made in Crimea’.

Vietnam signs trade agreement
According to the Russian press agency, Russia and Vietnam have signed a trade agreement. The Asian country will supply Russia with agricultural produce, including fruit and vegetables. Agreements have been reached on cooperation between customs authorities.

Moldova at wit’s end
The Moldovan government is at its wit’s end. The country is not an EU member, which means it can’t make use of the EU compensation. The government is now negotiating with various parties, to raise an amount of 146 million lei (33 million Euro) in order to compensate apple and plum growers. To be able to offer the growers compensation, the country is turning to the World Bank, among others, for a financial boost of 10 million dollars.

Bulgaria wants higher compensation
Bulgaria is requesting a higher European compensation for fruit and vegetable farmers. The Bulgarian agriculture minister, Vassil Groudev, is working on getting temporary extra European support from the European Union. The government of the Eastern European country insists on extraordinary measures to compensate growers of some fruit and vegetable varieties. Compensation for apples and pears alone is not sufficient. Bulgaria expects more compensation with the other fruit and vegetable varieties. Despite the small stake in the agricultural market, the country expects to suffer great losses due to the Russian ban of European products.