Export

Vegetable Export from Russia Grew in Q1 2020

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The Russian Federation exported 396,700 MT of vegetables in Q1 2020. This is 20.3% more than during the same period in 2019. In volume terms, exports increased by 11.6% to $98.3 million.

During the first quarter of 2020, vegetables were exported from Russia to 64 countries. The major countries of destination were Ukraine, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

A large share of the export was peas. In January-March 2020, 125,400 MT (+5.1%) of peas, worth $31.7 million (+8.2%) was exported. Pakistan, Italy, Bangladesh, and Nepal accounted for a significant share of supplies. Potato export increased to 125,000 MT worth $14.4 million (2.2 times up). The main countries of destination were Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Turkmenistan.

Chickpea exports came to 78,600 MT (+6.4%) worth $28.4 million (-0.4%). Most of the volume was shipped to Pakistan and Turkey. Onions and garlic exports came to 22,900 MT (-27.8%) worth $3.4 million (-35.8%), mostly to Iraq, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.

Cucumber export increased by 3.5 times in volume terms to 5,200 MT by 6.8 times in value terms to $4.1 million. Cucumbers were mostly designated for Belarus and Ukraine.

Exports to Ukraine increased by 87% up to 73,500 MT in volume terms and by 67.9% up to $9.4 million in value terms. Most of the shipments were potatoes.

www.seanews.ru

Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation: Russia Reduced Fruit Exports and Increased Imports

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Russia reduced fruit exports and increased imports according to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.

The export of pomaceous fruit decreased by 33.8% to 12,000 MT in volumes and by 37.3% to $4.5 million in value. The volume of apple exports fell to 11,700 MT (-34.8%) or $4 million (-39.5%). Export of pears, on the contrary, rose to 440.6 MT (+8.6%) and $371,000 (-3%). Last year, export of stone fruits grew up to 864,500 (+17.5%), worth $ 462,300 (-15.6%). At the same time, the export of berries increased by 47.9% in volumes to 305.5 MT and by 18% in value to $499,900.

In 2018, the main importers of Russian fruits were Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Estonia.

In 2018, the import of pomaceous fruit amounted to 1.1 million MT (+13.9%) and $726.6 million (+20.9%). The import of apples accounted for 845.400 MT (+19%), worth $518.3 million (+26.8%), pear import accounted for 272,900 TM (+0.6%) worth $202.2 million (+8.5%). The volume of stone fruit import amounted to 449,700 MT (+0.3%) and $430.7 million (+3.9%). Imports of berries increased by 45.6% in value to $101.5 million, while the volumes increased grew by 7.9% to 59,900 MT. Import pf grapes amounted for 295,700 MT (-22.8%) for $324.7 million (-18.3%).

www.a-ipp.ru

Russia Bans All U.S. Food Imports and E.U. Fruits and Vegetables

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Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation signed an Executive Order On Applying Certain Special Economic Measures to Ensure the Security of the Russian Federation. This basically means an embargo on importing entire categories of products from those countries which have declared economic sanctions against Russian organisations and individuals.

Russia has completely banned the importation of beef, pork, fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and the Kingdom of Norway.

These restrictions shall be introduced starting today, and for a period of 12 months. But, if Russia’s partners display a constructive approach towards cooperation issues, then the Government would be willing to revise the specific implementation deadlines for these measures.

www.government.ru

Russia: pear imports down month-on-month in May

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Russia lowered pear imports by 37.5% in May 2014 compared with the previous month, according to the official statistics.

Thus, the import volumes totaled just 31,000 tons, the lowest result over the past 5 years and a decrease of 18% year-on-year.

Russia’s cumulative imports over the period from July 2013 to May 2014 stood at 355,000 tons, an increase of 4% compared with the same period of the previous season. The Netherlands were the main supplier of pears to the Russian market with the share of about 25% in Russia’s total imports. Argentina and Belgium also exported significant volumes, and their shares amounted to 17% each.

www.fruit-inform.com

Russia imports of mandarin and grapefruit on the increase

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Russian citrus imports rose by 6% last year compared to 2012. The markets for mandarin and grapefruit in particular show high growth rates, respectively 40% and 34%, reports the Russian website fruitnews.ru. Turkey and Morocco traditionally are the two main citrus suppliers, but have to surrender a part of their market share to South Africa and Egypt. A striking newcomer on the mandarin market is Georgia.

Russia imported 1.7 million tons in 2013, accounting for 1.68 billion dollars. An increase of 6% compared to the year before. The main suppliers of citrus are Turkey and Morocco, accounting for 40% of the total volume. Egypt is third, followed by South Africa and China. The first EU country on the list is Spain occupying the sixth place. Cyprus and Greece are good for respectively the eleventh and twelfth place.

Mandarins and oranges are the most popular citrus fruits amongst the Russian consumers. Last year Russia imported more than 838,000 tons, accounting for almost half of the total citrus import. The largest mandarin suppliers are Turkey and Morocco. Although the volume from Morocco decreased compared to the previous years, the volume from Turkey grew. Together both countries account for half the mandarin supply. Other major suppliers are China, Pakistan, Spain, Argentina and Abkhazia. In October 2013 Georgia was allowed to supply the Russian market and ended up twelfth on the list with 12,000 tons.

Oranges were mainly imported from Egypt and South Africa. Volumes grew to 70% of the import. In total Russia imported 500,000 tons of oranges. Other major suppliers of oranges were Turkey, Spain and Morocco.

Grapefruit import grew by 20% compared with 2012 to 147,000 tons. The largest supplier of this citrus fruit is China, followed by Turkey, South Africa and Israel. The rise in consumption is due to media attention.

In the first quarter of this year, import fell by 11% to 577,000 ton. Key suppliers are Morocco, turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, China and Spain. New comer Georgia exported 2.6 tons of mandarins to Russia.

Expressed as a percentage, the market share of the export countries is stable. Turkey is on top of the list with 24.6%, followed by Morocco (14.5%) and Egypt (14.1%). In recent years the import of mandarins increased by almost 40% from 605,000 tons in 2010 to 838,000 tons in 2013. The import of grapefruit is also on the rise, growing 34%. In 2010 109,000 tons was imported, in 2013 it rose to 147,000 tons

The orange import grew with 5% from 478,000 tons in 2011 to 504,000 tons in 2013. The volumes from Egypt and South Africa are growing at the expense of Morocco and Turkey.

www.freshplaza.com

Boycott harmful to Russia and EU

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Tensions between the EU and Russia are increasing. Russian interference in the political turmoil in Ukraine and the alleged presence of Russian troops in the Crimea, led to the EU imposing sanctions against Russia. At the time this article went to press, there was as yet no official reaction from Russia. However, the EU already announced further sanctions. And although political responses are difficult to predict, the tensions also affect the European fruit and vegetable sector.

“We have to wait and see what impact this will have, and whether counter restrictions, are to be expected,” says Inge Ribbens of Frugi Venta. “Until now, fruits and vegetables are still exported. Potatoes have an import ban, but the sector isn’t affected yet.” Arjan Zoutewelle of the same import and export company, sees tensions rise. “I noticed that the sector, say forty percent of it, is nervous, and that there is uncertainty about the devaluation of the ruble. In the long run, a low ruble is not good for business. In Russia, imported products are therefore more expensive.”

If there is a threat to domestic crops or human health, boundaries are often closed, but there may also be a political agenda behind a boycott. In February, Romain Cools of Belgapom suspected a political agenda behind the potato import ban on Russia. He then said: “Russia is not only closed to the potato and the seed potato sector, but now European pork is no longer allowed in. The Russians found an alternative with American pork, which increasingly seems to point to a political motive.”

Exports to Russia mainly consists of products such as machinery, chemicals and processed products. About eight percent of exports consist of food and live animals. Fresh produce makes up the biggest part. In general, a boycott of European fruit and vegetables to Russia may be more problematic than in Europe, expects Arjan Zoutewelle. The world can’t always meet Russian demand. It also depends on the countries and products that fall under a boycott. More worrying is when the Russian border is closed and there is a good harvest in Europe. “If there is a boycott, we better not have over-production in Europe, because then we really need Russia to buy our production peaks.”

www.freshplaza.com

Devaluation of the Rouble hampers fruit export to Russia

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Although Crimea no longer dominates the daily news, it has affected fruit export. “I think that the political situation cost volume and also price development,” said fruit exporter Kees Oskam from Vleuten. “But I’m actually happy that we can simply still deliver at these prices. It could be worse.”

“Of course we would have preferred higher prices, but the Rouble has almost halved in value and that plays an important role. There are region’s to which we can no longer export because it is too expensive. In Moscow and the surrounding areas that is not the case because the average income is higher.” Trading company Jan Oskam traditionally export top fruit to The Ukraine, but even there devaluation of the Hryvna has caused problems.

“It is a daily priority to see if we can export. I have to say last week was more difficult than this week, maybe because it was still front page news. Obviously we are talking to receivers who are equally concerned to keep trade moving,” said the trader.

“The fact that the pear price is unstable on the Russian market makes for a tricky situation because the market is and remains unpredictable,” concluded Kees. “Only a few apples go to Russia here and there, because Polish exporters have cornered the market with their lower prices, but they also complain a lot about difficulties they have with supplies from Serbia.”

www.freshplaza.com

Russian fruit & vegetable imports saw continued growth in 2013

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The Russian import market of fresh fruit and vegetables in 2013 was worth 8.2 billion dollars (6.2 billion Euro). Two years before it was 7.7 billion dollars. In 2011 and 2012 the value was 5.5 and 6.0 billion Euro respectively. Volume comparisons show last year figures at 8.4 million ton, compared to 8 in 2012 and 8.3 in 2011. Previous years showed imports increasing sharply.

Apples and bananas are the two major products which are imported to Russia. Apple import continued to grow in 2013 but banana import was more modest. Tomatoes, the third import product showed good growth as did fourth place, soft citrus, then a number of products follow which reached a peak in 2011 but in recent years have fallen, these are oranges, pears, grapes and carrots. Onion import in 2013 was also seen to have been previously higher.

Ecuador is the most important supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables. This is mostly due to the banana. Ecuadorian bananas have a free monopoly on the Russian banana market. Turkey is the other massive supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables to Russia but import is not longer growing. Poland is rising as third supplier. Almost three quarters of Polish deliveries consists of apples. China follows in fourth place but their import shows a falling trend and apples, soft citrus and tomatoes are their most important products. Spanish import, number 5, has stabilised after a short spurt in 2013. The main Spanish products going to Russia are peaches/nectarines and tomatoes. Morocco also supply soft citrus, and Israel are a large supplier of products such as carrots and peppers.

www.freshplaza.com

Possible ban from Russia big problem for EU exporters

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With Russia being a large importer of fresh produce, the current political situation between European nations and Russia could have significant ramifications for European exporters. The threat that the political climate could negatively impact their business has many European shippers hoping for a quick resolution to any political issues EU countries and Russia may have.

“If Russia bans any European produce, then it’s obvious that this will be a big problem for exporters currently working with Russia,” said Eric Guasch, President of AFRAA, an organization dedicated to promoting trade between the two nations. AFRAA is already working to lift the Russian ban on European potatoes and pork, and any further restrictions on European products would further hurt the continent’s shippers.

As for Israeli exporters, any action taken by Russia would only have an impact on some commodities, explained Rafi Zuri of Galil Export in Israel.Also Spanish kaki fruit from Spain would suffer, which will probably be a benefit for Sharon  fruit from Israel in winter, as they compete on persimmon during the winter. Other commodities wouldn’t have an advantage. Part of that has to do with the competition Israeli exporters face from Turkish exporters. Because products from Turkey are cheaper, and the Russian market prioritizes low-priced produce.

But throughout most of Europe, worries are much more prevalent, and the feeling is that any ban would eventually hurt Russia as well as Europe. Because of the potential impacts the current situation could unleash on those working in the fresh produce trade in both countries, everyone hopes political tensions can be resolved quickly.

www.freshplaza.com

2013 tough year for Russian fresh produce imports

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Due to a number of factors, 2013 was a difficult year for many of Russia’s fruit and vegetable suppliers. Bad weather negatively impacted some crops while restrictions on fresh produce shipments to Russia from several regions of origin limited supplies. Many companies in Moscow also experienced problems with fresh produce storage when one of the biggest warehouse complexes in the city was closed. Negative changes in consumer behaviour and purchasing power also became evident at the end of the year.

According to data from the Federal Customs Service, imports of fruit, nuts and dried fruit to Russia in 2013 remained roughly equal to 2012 levels – amounting to 6.19 million MT or $6.26 billion. Compared to the previous year’s figures (6.16 million MT, $6.28 billion), the volume of imported fruit increased by 0.4 percent and the value decreased by 0.35 percent. Imports of vegetables over the same period grew more intensively. The gross import volume of vegetables reached 2.90 million MT, or $2.80 billion, exceeding the volume and value of 2012 by 6.3 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively.

www.freshplaza.com