In August 2014, the United States and the European Union agreed to impose sanctions on Russia for bringing down a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, when almost 300 people died.
Brussels sanctions, also supported by Spain, included a ban on the sale of shares or bonds issued by banks in which the Russian State had more than half of the capital; prohibiting export licenses for equipment or technology for the exploration or extraction of gas or oil; and an embargo on arms or any other technology that could be used for military purposes.
As a result, Putin ordered his government, which was led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, to ban imports of food, agricultural, and livestock products from the EU and the US.
Trump is thinking about lifting sanctions on Russia
Now, Donald Trump has said he might lift the sanctions if Russia cooperated in the fight against the Islamic State. A global threat that especially affects Europe. "If we get along with Russia and they really start helping, why should we maintain sanctions?" he asked.
The President has been insisting on his intention to open a new chapter in the relations with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. After settling in the White House, President Trump has already spoken with the Russian President on the phone and stated that he is willing to meet with him.
Spain accumulates losses of 1.500 million euro
Spain is one of the countries that has been most impacted by the Russian veto, as fruits and vegetables account for more than 60% of the country's agricultural production.
In 2013, the year before the veto, Spain directly exported 230,729 tons of fruits and vegetables to Russia.
The actual volume is thought to be much higher, given the strong weight of re-exports from other Member States, such as France, the Netherlands, and Poland, which makes Russia Spain's first export destination outside the European Union.
The Russian veto remains two years later, and although the European Commission has set up measures to support their losses, the Spanish agricultural sector has lost nearly 1,500 million euro from the closure of its main, non-EU market, according to several agricultural sources of El Confidencial Digital.
Tomatoes and citrus lose the most
According to sources, Spanish producers can't continue to support the price of a geopolitical crisis. It is unfair and unacceptable, they say.
The nut sector has been the most affected, as it had a drop in exports of 410 million euro, representing almost 50% of the overall drop.
Sales of stone fruits, such as apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums have decreased by 224 million, followed by citrus and apples with 140 million, and pears and quinces (25 million).
The vegetable sector has had losses of 200 million euro in the two years analyzed, and the tomato was the main affected food.
Difficulties in finding alternative markets
Despite the ban, Spanish farmers have not stopped working in the past three years. They have been forced to seek alternative buyers for their crops and to lower prices, as there's been an oversupply of fruits and vegetables.
However, Spain continues to lead in the wine and olive oil sectors, and still exports pasta, sauces confectionery, and bakery products to Russia, as the ban didn't affect these products.
Source: elconfidencialdigital.com