A proposal has been made in the Russian parliament to set up quotas for imported products in Russian supermarkets. Those behind the proposal want that only up to 50% of the products are imported. And although prices increased by 20%, the regional government of Udmurtia finds that the increase is "not unreasonable." In Europe, Polish wholesale prices have dropped by up to 40%, and in the first half of 2015 exports will fall by 6%. The Dutch government has published an account of the applications for compensation submitted to the European Commission under the first regulation. A total of 2.3 million Euro in compensations has been requested. According to Russian media, Dutch companies have put an end to their cooperation with the Stavropol region, where they worked on the development of the agricultural sector. Tunisia and Uruguay are ready to increase their export volumes to Russia. To this end, Uruguay will receive investments in infrastructure and energy projects from Russia.
The Russian government has made a proposal to reduce the share of imported products on Russian supermarket shelves. According to the Duma (the Russian parliament), only up to 50% of the products may be imported. This includes the import of vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese. A detailed list will follow. Also products from Kazakhstan and Belarus are considered imports. The Parliament considers that Russian producers should take advantage of the boycott. Supermarkets switch too easily to suppliers from third countries, such as Brazil, in order to replace European products. The proposal has not yet been discussed in the Duma.
15 billion dollars for import replacements
The Russian Minister of Agriculture has requested a 600 billion Rouble ($ 15 billion) increase in the budget for the replacement of boycotted products. The money is intended for the construction of more logistics centres. According to the plans, it will take five years for domestic growers to be able to compensate the lack of imports.
The Netherlands requested 2.3 million to EC
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has published an account of the applications for compensation that Dutch growers did under the old regulation. Between 18 August and 3 September, six producer organisations and 53 non-member producers together issued 323 messages. The majority of the compensation requests came from apple and pear growers. In total, compensations amounted to nearly 2.3 million Euro for apples and pears and more than 57,000 Euro for overall vegetables. This includes mainly carrots, tomatoes and cabbage. That these requests were made does not mean that the amounts will actually be paid by the EC.
Dutch companies withdraw
The government of Stavropol said in an interview with Russian media that Dutch companies have suspended their cooperation with the region. The companies were involved in the agricultural development of Stavropol, including the construction and development of greenhouses and storage facilities, as well as equipment for milking.
Tunisia wants to take advantage of the gap
Since the very start of the economic dispute between Russia and the West, Tunisia has tried to take this opportunity to conquer the Russian market. A trade delegation visited Moscow and the government sees great potential in the export of agricultural products. Russia is an important export market for Tunisia, but also a major supplier of products. Exports to Russia consist primarily of dates and olives, but a number of other fruits and vegetables are quickly being added to the list.
Prices + 20% in Udmurtia, but "reasonable"
In the Russian region of Udmurtia, a republic east of Moscow, the retail prices of imported fruit have increased by 20% since the introduction of the boycott. According to the supermarkets, primary costs have increased by 30-70%. According to the regional authorities, however, there are no clouds in the sky. Prices are stable and the increases are not unreasonable, according to the government.
Kuban invests in orchards
To modernise the Kuban region's orchards, the regional government will invest 24 million Rouble (480,000 Euro). 40% of growers are using outdated techniques. The money is intended for the installation of drip irrigation systems, the uprooting of old orchards, the construction of storage facilities and the installation of anti-hail nets. Within two years, production in the region has to increase by 44%.
Uruguay exchanging fruit and vegetables for investment
Russia and Uruguay have signed an agreement for an increase in the export of Uruguayan agricultural products to Russia. At present, 3.8% of the total 356 million dollars made by the country's exports correspond to the Russian market. The agreement also includes Russian investments in infrastructure, transport and energy projects in the South American country.
Polish prices -40%
Prices at the wholesale market near Warsaw have dropped to a record low. Vegetable prices are now 40% lower compared to last year, while production volumes have increased by 5%, reaching 4.2 million tonnes; this, however, is still 7% below the average of 2006-2010. For its part, the fruit harvest has broken a record. The total volume amounted to 3.2 million tonnes; 3% more than last year. According to expectations, exports will fall by 2% this year and reach 19.9 billion Euro. In the first half of 2015, a further 6% drop is expected.
More exports Ukraine to Czech Republic
In the period between January and September this year, Ukraine has increased the export of agricultural products to the Czech Republic by 29%. Thus, exports amounted to $ 20 million. The main products are fruits, nuts and dried fruit, honey, cereals, oils and oilseeds. Imports from the Czech Republic dropped by 7.4% and amounted to $ 27.6 million. Cattle, beer and cheese were the most imported products, with fruits and vegetables representing a smaller share.