Poland's food-quality watchdog, IJHARS, reported that Russian deliveries in the first quarter were "significantly higher" compared to the previous year, aligning with low domestic greenhouse production. Eurostat data, highlighted by the RIA news agency, indicated that March shipments exceeded 2,000 tons.
Between January and mid-March, IJHARS inspectors assessed 125 shipments at the Polish border, finding compliance with EU commercial standards. However, subsequent wholesale checks uncovered origin mislabeling, resulting in penalties for "unfair and illegal" practices. In February, Polish authorities rejected a shipment from Belarus containing 0.13 mg/kg of pimetrozine, an insecticide exceeding EU limits, and returned it to Russia.
Latvian growers express concern over the re-export of Russian cucumbers, potentially impacting local markets. Jānis Bušs, head of Baltic Vegetables cooperative, commented, "It feels absurd that we debate helping Ukraine while Russian food moves freely across Europe." Riga is witnessing increasing calls for an EU-wide ban on agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus, akin to previous grain restrictions.
Russian cucumbers, priced at €1–€1.20 per kilo, are approximately 30% cheaper than Dutch or Spanish alternatives, creating a tempting option for wholesalers amid consumer price pressures. The Polish Agriculture Minister, Czesław Siekierski, stated the nation will urge Brussels for stringent traceability and prompt pesticide violation alerts. An IJHARS statement acknowledged the "temptation to relabel" foreign vegetables as Polish during the low domestic production winter period.
The discussion on extending agricultural sanctions against Moscow will continue among EU farm ministers next month.
Source: Polskie Radio