Salvi was in Moscow to assess the situation at WorldFood and for the traditional meeting of Freshfel Europe representatives, which is organised every year to analyse the situation of Community exports towards Russia. The Russian market is in fact the most important destination of Community produce.
"As exporters, we are very worried as there doesn't seem to be a short-term solution, there seems to be no European strategy. In addition to Europe, other countries are also worried: Argentina, for example, feels that the produce exported to Russia won't be enough to balance the share of the market lost due to oversupply in Europe."
"Either we reach a solution with Russia or rules and incentives are needed to withdraw the produce from the market. That is why we believe we must refer to specific export shares for each member state, although a political solution is the only viable option in the end."
"Russia will also face some problems, what will they do when the domestic produce won't be enough? Surely consumers will be affected by the lower quality and higher prices."
Not only exports
It is clear how the EU does not have a political strategy at the moment but, in addition to the direct effects of the ban, there is also another problem. Will Europe be able to stop aggressive imports from other markets? The risk is that the European produce will no longer be competitive on the domestic market too.