Moldova exported more grapes to Europe last year than in 2013. For the upcoming season, Moldova wants to increase this volume even further. Russia is opening its borders for Moldovan apples, ending the boycott of Moldovan apples that lasted for over half a year. This is initially a trial period. The prices for Serbian Idared apples in Moscow are going down, because there's less demand for the relatively expensive apple. And discounter Plus, part of Tengelmann, is storming the Russian market. The chain wants to open 150 stores in Central Russia in the coming years.
"Steady growth" for agrifood sectors
The ABN AMRO Economic Bureau expects a "steady growth" for the Dutch agrifood system, a report from the bank shows. According to the bank, the economic growth will continue in 2015 and 2016, but the agrifood system profits less from this growth, because the sectors have limited dependence on economic growth. The export is a more important motor for growth in the sectors. In the first half of this year, the bank expects the Russian boycott to still trouble the sectors, but a slight increase is still expected. The weaker position of the euro can give the export a boost.
Moldovan grape export to EU increased
With an exported volume of 12,000 tonnes of grapes to the EU in 2014, the Moldovan export is six times larger than in 2013, making it a record volume. All in all, the Eastern European exported 51,000 tonnes of grapes, of which, in addition to the export to the EU, 29,000 tonnes to Russia, 8,000 tonnes to Belarus and 2,000 tonnes to other countries. The Moldovan grape sector is optimistic about the possibilities for the coming years. Despite a European quota of 10,000 tonnes, and additional 2,000 tonnes was exported under import duties. For next year, Moldova wants to increase the export quota, seeing how several surrounding countries have been increasing the import of Moldovan grapes in recent years.
Russia opens borders for Moldovan apples
The Russian phytosanitary service has opened the borders for Moldovan apples as of Thursday. It is initially a trial period. Moldovan fruit and vegetables have been banned since July 21, 2014.
Advice on transparency Ukrainian agricultural market
In order to make the market for agricultural land in Ukraine more transparent, the assistance of Dutch and Lithuanian experts has been called upon. Corruption can be combated already in the legislation stage. According to the Lithuanian experts, openness and transparency are particularly important in the decision-making stage. During a seminar, Ukrainian experts were given several cases. Examples of transparency are the online auction system in Lithuania, and the independent individual carrying out the taxation in the Netherlands.
Serbian Idared cheaper in Moscow
After precious reports from Fruit-Inform on increasing prices for Serbian apples, there are also reports that claim the opposite. Idared apples from the Balkan country have reportedly become 5-7% cheaper this month. Exporters are prepared to export for a price of 70-84 cents per kilo. That's still 15% more than last year. The decreasing price trend coincides with the economic developments in Russia. Russians have less to spend, making relatively expensive apples harder to sell.
Stavropol signs contracts during Grüne Woche
At the Grüne Woche in Berlin, the Russian region of Stavropol has done good business. The region signed nearly half of the total of 14 contracts worth 102 million euros that were signed at the trade show. The contracts with representatives from the Netherlands, China and Germany concern equipment and building materials for greenhouses, the construction of a rose nursery, cultivating young plants on various types of soil and a turkey farm and slaughterhouse.
Vilmorin expects lower revenues Ukraine and Russia
French seed company Vilmorin expects sales to decrease this year in Ukraine and Russia, due to the financial situation in both countries. Vilmorin is the fourth largest seed breeder in the world, with revenues of over one billion euros annually. Vilmorin is mainly concerned about trade in sunflower seeds and corn.
Tengelmann starts with Plus discount stores in Russia
After the retail chain disappeared from Central Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria) between 2007 and 2010, Tengelmann's Plus discount store is coming back, launching its first store in Russia. With a € 500 million investment, Tengelmann plans to open around 150 Plus stores in Central Russia until 2020. The first three stores will be opened in Kaluga, Tula and Podmoskovye. The supermarket plans on opening about 10 stores in the Tula region. Further store openings are planned in Tver, Nizhny Novgorod and Pushkino. Plus offers around 2,500 products, including fresh produce, health and beauty products. It also sells non-food articles, such as toys and clothing.