Author Archives: CrispConsulting

Belarus Halts Re-Export of Banned Fruit and Veg to Russia

Written by

Following negotiations between the Rosselkhoznadzor and the deputy director of the Main State Inspectorate for Seed Production, Quarantine and Plant Protection, Belarus has stopped issuing certifications for banned fruits and vegetables from third countries in transit through Belarus, reports the Moscow Agency citing Rosselkhoznadzor official representative Yulia Melano.

However, those vegetables and fruits intended for consumption in Belarus will continue to be imported into the country, as the goal is to avoid illegal deliveries of such products to Russia.

On March 27, a meeting was held in Moscow between the head of the Rosselkhoznadzor and the deputy director of the Seed Inspectorate. The Russian institution drew attention to the problem of the re-export of banned products to Russia through Belarus with phytosanitary certificates issued by Belarus which, in many cases contain inaccurate information about the country of origin of the goods.

The Rosselkhoznadzor complained about the lack of statistics on the volumes of imported and customs-cleared products in Belarus and about the lack of a system to track the movement of goods. For this reason, it had called for measures and hinted at a possible ban on re-exports through Belarus.

www.freshplaza.com

Considerable Reduction of Russia’s Greenhouse Vegetable Imports

Written by

In January 2019, Russia imported minimal volumes of greenhouse vegetables compared to the past three years, according to analysts from EastFruit. Compared with January 2018, the value of greenhouse tomato, pepper and cucumber imports decreased by 15.2%, down to $ 79.5 million.

The drop in terms of volume was similar, with imports also falling by 15.2%. Tomato shipments totaled only 37,400 MT, which is 10.2% less than a year earlier. Those of peppers reached 14,700 MT (20.3% less), and those of cucumbers stood at 11,900 MT (22.6% less).

In January 2019, pepper and tomato shipments to Russia still exceeded the figures reached in the first month of 2017; however, the import of cucumbers continued to decline for the fifth consecutive year, falling to a record low figure (at least for the past few years).

Speaking about the reasons for the decline in imports, EastFruit analysts point to two main ones: the declining incomes of the Russian population (together with the rising VAT rates), and the growth of the country’s own greenhouse vegetable production.

Russia’s largest suppliers of greenhouse tomatoes in January 2019 were Azerbaijan, Morocco, Turkey, China and Iran. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran sharply increased their tomato exports to Russia compared with the same month last year, while Morocco and China, on the contrary, sharply reduced their supply volumes.

Israel was the clear leader in the delivery of peppers to Russia in January, well ahead of China and Turkey. Meanwhile, Iran exported mostly cucumbers to Russia; four times more than China.

www.freshplaza.com

Russia’s Annual Greenhouse Tomato Production Reached 380,000 MT

Written by

In the 2017-2018 campaign, Russia’s average production of greenhouse tomatoes amounted to 380,000 MT. The statistics have been provided by researchers of the marketing agency ROIF Expert in the report “Greenhouse Tomatoes in Russia: Maximizing Production”.

It is worth noting that the share of greenhouse tomatoes in the market has reached 45%. The main market trend has been the sharp growth in the share of tomatoes against the background of a reduction in the share of cucumbers. The gross tomato harvest in 2017-2018 grew by almost 25%, while the production of greenhouse cucumbers by only 0.2%.

According to a ROIF Expert, the most negative aspects affecting the development of greenhouse tomato production in Russia until 2023 will be the depreciation of fixed assets, the high capital costs for the construction of new greenhouse complexes, the increased competition between Russian and foreign suppliers in the vegetable market, or the pressure from federal retailers. Many will also be affected by infrastructure or logistics problems.

www.freshplaza.com

Russia Top Market for Turkey’s Fresh Fruit, Vegetable Exports

Written by

Turkey exported approximately $365.66 million worth of fresh fruits and vegetables in the first two months of this year. It was the Russian Federation that was importing the most Turkish produce, at around $104.53 million.

According to data from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association (DKİB), Turkey exported 697,577 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to 100 countries in January and February. Russia ranked first in the amount of produce imported from Turkey, followed by Iraq with $34.084 million and Romania with some $33.11 million.

On the other hand, the Eastern Black Sea Region exported 52,247 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to 31 countries in the same period, making $29.14 million in revenue. Russia ranked first among the countries that imported fresh fruits and vegetables from the region with $22.6 million, followed by Georgia with over $2 million and Iraq with $988,045.

www.freshplaza.com

Apple Production to Reach 1.5 Million MT in 2018/19

Written by

For marketing year 2018/19, Russian apple production is forecast at 1,506,100 MT. Notwithstanding recent growth in local apple production, Russia remains one of the world’s leading importers of fresh deciduous fruit, importing 858,612 tons of apples in 2017/18. In MY 2018/2019, Russian apple imports will likely decrease to 815,000 MT. Russian imports of table grapes and pears are also forecast to decrease to 270,000 MT and 352,000 MT, respectively, as consumers increasingly look to purchase less expensive domestically grown fruit.

Since 2014, Russia’s counter-sanctions have banned fresh apple imports from Europe and the United States. This, and the Government of Russia support amounting to 12.9 billion rubles (US$ 194.8 million) for the period 2013-2018, has propelled investment in Russia’s horticultural sector.

In 2018, the the Government of Russia announced a 242 billion rubles (US$ 3.6 billion) support program for Russian agriculture. In February 2018, the Gpvernment of Russia allocated an additional 7 billion rubles (US$ 105.7 million) specifically for agricultural development, this included a 5 billion ruble (US$75.5 million) subsidy to encourage investment.

www.freshplaza.com

Apples Imports to Russia in 2018

Written by

Russia remains one of the biggest apples importers in the world. In total in 2018, Russia imported 844,000 MT of apples amounted to $517.4 million, while it exported 11,700 MT of $4.11 million.

The main countries exporting fresh apples to Russia are Serbia (20.7%) and Moldova (20.5%). China ranks third with 16.5%.

Russia also imported fresh apples from Iran (7.3%), Turkey (7.2%), Azerbaijan (6.7%), Chile (5%), Belarus (3.4%), South Africa (3.4%), Argentina (3%), Brazil (2%), New Zealand (2.8%), Macedonia (1.2%) and other countries.

www.azernews.az

In 2018, the Russian Berry Market Grew by 1.5%

Written by

In 2018, Russia’s total berry production volume increased by 1.5% compared with the previous year. This broke the negative trend of 2017, when this figure fell by 5.8%, as revealed by data of the marketing agency ROIF Expert.

Agency analysts noted that 65-68% of the total volume corresponds to cultivated berries, and 32-35% to the harvest of wild plants. 92-94% of all grown berries are currants, garden strawberries and raspberries.

At the same time, no more than 1% of all products grown in the country are exported. In 2018, Russian berry shipments to foreign markets increased by 43% in terms of volume and by 9% in terms of value and reached $ 0.5 million. Berry imports last year grew by 8% in terms of volume and by 45% in terms of value, reaching $ 100 million.

www.freshplaza.com

Iran: Exports to Russia up 36% in 2018

Written by

Iran exported US$533 million worth of commodities to Russia in 2018. This is a growth of 36% in Iran’s exports to Russia, compared to the year before.

Iran’s exports mainly included pistachio, raisins, dates, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, fish, shrimp, milk, cheese, tea, kiwi fruit and cabbage, according to Farhad Parand, Iran’s commercial attache in Russia. The trade between Iran and Russia stood at 1.74 billion dollars in 2018, registering a 2% growth from 2017.

www.freshplaza.com

Russia Sharply Reduced Imports of Onions, Garlic, Cabbage and Carrots

Written by

According to EastFruit analysts, Russia continues to increase its domestic production and expand its infrastructure for the storage of basic vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, beets and garlic. This is allowing the country to reduce its dependence on imports. In some cases, it is even becoming able to export.

In the first 11 months of 2018, onion imports to Russia fell by 52% compared with the same period in 2017 and amounted to just over 146 thousand tons. Carrot imports decreased by 10% to 155 thousand tons, and imports of all types of fresh cabbage fell by 17% to 97 thousand tons. Garlic imports decreased the least, by 8%, down to 46 thousand tons.

At the same time, Russia slightly increased its potato imports (by 2%, to 533 thousand tons). Thus, the second bread for Russians remained the most imported vegetable in terms of volume. Also worth noting is the growth of beet imports, which increased by 10%, to 41 thousand tons.

Egypt remained the main supplier of potatoes to Russia, accounting for 66% of all deliveries in the first 11 months of 2018. Potato shipments from Pakistan to Russia also increased. Russia imported carrots from Israel, China, Belarus (to a large extent re-exports from the EU, according to market participants) and Egypt. In total, these countries accounted for 91% of all shipments.

The bulk of onions on the Russian market came from China and Egypt (57%), while cabbage was supplied mainly by China and Uzbekistan (60%), as well as from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Iran.

www.freshplaza.com

Russia to Double Tomato Imports from Turkey, Agriculture Minister Pakdemirli says

Written by

Russia will double the quota on tomato imports from Turkey, Turkey’s Agriculture and Forestry Minister said on Saturday.

Bekir Pakdemirli was in the German capital of Berlin within the scope of the 11th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference.

Speaking to reporters at Turkish Embassy in Berlin after the conference, Pakdemirli said he negotiated the issue with his Russian counterpart.

“One of our greatest advantages is that we have increased our 50,000 tons tomato quota to 100,000 tons,” he said.

In January 2016, after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet violating its airspace, Russia banned imports of Turkish fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, oranges, apples, apricots, cabbage, broccoli, mandarins, pears, peaches, cucumbers, plums, strawberries, onions, cloves, and poultry.

However, Russia relaxed trade sanctions placed on Turkey during the summer of 2017.

www.dailysabah.com