Last month, two proposals were made in the Russian parliament to establish a quota for Russian produce on store shelves. The Ministry of Industry and Trade, however, has announced it doesn't see the proposal as a viable option. A large study of the Russian agricultural sector should provide additional insight into this sector and the actual volumes. The results are expected at the end of 2016. The inflation on fruit and vegetables in Russia increased to 22% in January. Russian investors are looking to Serbian companies that are being privatized.
No support Russian ministry for quota domestic produce
The Russian deputy minister of Industry and Trade has announced that the ministry isn't behind a plan to establish a quota for the number of Russian products on supermarket shelves. Such a measure is against the economic system, and has a negative impact on Russia's partners in the World Trade Organization. According to the deputy minister, the Russian produce share has already gone up to 80 percent. Last month, two proposals were made to regulate the share of domestic produce on shelves, at the beginning of the month by the Duma, later by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Large study of Russian agriculture
The Russian Statistics Service, Rosstat, is working on a large study of Russian agriculture. The study is to provide an overview of the sector. For potatoes, for instance, it's assumed that the market is 80 percent self-sufficient. The results of the study won't be published until late 2016. In 2006, a large study was carried out as well, with significant differences being found compared to normal statistics. The volumes turned out to be 30 percent lower than assumed.
Russian investors to Serbia
Russian investors are looking at Serbian agriculture companies, the mayor of Belgrade says in an interview with Tanjug. Since the boycott, interest from Russian investors in Serbia has increased. The Balkan country is working on a privatization process, attracting investors. At the moment, most eyes are on PKB. This company, founded in 1945, was Yugoslavia's largest industrial centre, producing fruit and vegetables.
22% inflation on fruit and vegetables
The Russian Ministry of Economic Affairs recently announced the inflation figures for January. According to the figures, prices for fruit and vegetables were 22 percent higher than in January 2014. Prices for carrots increased by 17.4%, cabbage got 27.9% more expensive. The continuing inflation is a result of the economic situation in Russia and the boycott.
Ukrainian prices
In Ukraine, prices for fruit and vegetables are also increasing by 13 to 18%. Cherry tomatoes cost 170 hryvnia (5.96 Euro) per kilo, cucumbers 53 hryvnia (1.86 Euro), bell peppers 97 hryvnia (3.40 Euro) and cauliflower 85 hryvnia (2.98 Euro) per kilo. For bananas, lemons and mandarins, prices are around 50 hryvnia (1.75 Euro), while grapefruit yield 1.40 Euro.