Egypt is said to be on the verge of signing a free trade agreement with the EEU, the union of former Soviet republics. The ties between Russia and Syria are also being strengthened. According to Russia, the downgrade to junk status is unjustified, with the Russian economy's strengths not being taken into account sufficiently. Kazakhstan is investing in a greenhouse centre where Dutch techniques are being used. Prices in Russia and Ukraine are moving up and down, with vegetables in Russia becoming a lot more expensive, onion prices going up in Ukraine, and potatoes getting cheaper in Crimea. And Israeli bell peppers were stopped because the products didn't meet phytosanitary demands.
New Greek government pro-Russia
The new Greek government is already making waves during its first week in office. The government says it doesn't agree with a declaration made by the EU earlier this week. According to the declaration, the 28 EU government leaders agree that Russia is responsible for the missile attack on Mariupol, which killed 30 people. According to the Greek government, their approval hadn't been asked. Although this will not have major consequences, it does set a tone. Greek prime minister Tsipras is known as pro-Russian.
"Junk status Russia unjustified"
Russia's downgrade by credit rating agency Standard & Poor's is too pessimistic according to Russian politician and economist Siluanov. He says the rating insufficiently took into account the strengths of the Russian economy, such as the credit reserves and the low public debt. The rating is also said to be of a far too political nature. On Monday, Russia was downgraded to the so-called junk status. That means Russian government bonds are now in the category of very risky investments.
Egypt seeks free trade zone with EEU
It is said that Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) are on the verge of signing a free trade agreement, the Russian Chamber of Commerce reports. EEU members are Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia. Egypt is one of Russia's most important trade partners in the Arab world.
Kazakhstan invests in greenhouse construction
Kazakhstan is building a completely new greenhouse centre in the northern region. The project costs 10 million Euro and is to produce vegetables 'the Dutch way': healthy and from domestic soil. The construction is mainly financed with investments, partly by government support. Dutch technology is used in the centre for clean, organic products, the Kazakh government says. Annually, the centre is to produce 2200 tonnes of vegetables, providing work for 60 people.
Russia and Syria strengthen ties
During a meeting between a Russian trade delegation and Syrian entrepreneurs, plans were made to improve trade between the nations. Russia is mainly interested in vegetables, fruit and citrus from Syria. Syria, on the other hand, is looking at Russian grain and wheat. The parties agreed to organize a trade show where Syrian traders can introduce their products on the Russian market.
Turkish export under pressure from conflict Ukraine
The export from the port cities in the Turkish Zonguldak region halved last year. The cause: the conflicts in Crimea and in Eastern Ukraine. These conflicts also have a negative impact on other port cities in Ukraine, like Sevastopol and Yevpatoria. Fruit and vegetables are mainly shipped from Zonguldak to Ukraine.
Russia stops Israeli bell peppers
Since the start of this year, the Russian phytosanitary service has turned away 60 tonnes of bell peppers that did not meet phytosanitary requirements. A dangerous disease is said to have been found on the bell peppers. The bell peppers were stopped in the port of Novorossiysk, in the south of Russia.
Potato prices Crimea going down
According to the latest reports, the potato prices in Crimea have gone down by 15%. Potatoes are the only fresh produce to show a price decrease. The decrease is caused by an oversupply on the local market. Despite the sharp decrease, potatoes are still 20% more expensive than last year.
Ukrainian onion prices increasing
The high demand from Belarusian importers and intermediate traders in Crimea has caused onion prices in Ukraine to go up. According to Fruit-Inform figures, growers have increased the prices by 11-15%, with prices fluctuating between 10-13 cents per kilo. Last year, the prices were even higher due to a bad harvest.
Russia considers price stabilization
During a session of the Duma, the Russian parliament, deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that price regulation is an option if prices will increase even further. The inflation over 2014 amounted to 11.4% (7.3% in 2013), and food prices went up by 15.4%. On average, fruit and vegetables got 5.7% more expensive. For popular products like cucumber and cabbage, the increase was well above 10%.
Finnish seedlings allowed into Russia
After the Russian phytosanitary service visited Finland in November of last year, no problems were found. Therefore, Russia opened its borders for 3890 tonnes of Finnish seedlings.
150 breeding centres in 2020
Russia strives to have 150 breeding centres in 2020. This fits in with Russia's strategy to become independent of import. This year, a lot is being invested in facilities for the production of vegetable seeds and seed potatoes.
Kaliningrad more expensive due to transport
The Russian Kaliningrad region is mostly dependent on the import and transport of fruit and vegetables. This means prices in the region are going up faster than in the rest of the country, a regional politician says.
Belaya Dacha postpones construction plans
Russian company Belaya Dacha is postponing a construction project in the regions Novosibirsk, Azov and St. Petersburg. The company, which supplies a lot of processed fruit and veg to companies including McDonald's, is revising the plans, looking into whether demand for the products is increasing as rapidly as had been thought before. As recent as the summer of 2014, the company announced expansion plans. Part of those now appear to be postponed.