Fruit import

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%).

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Russia Again Top Market for Turkey’s Fruit & Vegetable Exports

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Turkey’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports to 118 countries amounted to $622.5 million in the first four months of the year, with Russia taking the lead among markets with $184.2 million in that  period.

According to the Eastern Black Sea Exporters’ Association (DKİB) data, in January-April 2019, $622.5 million was generated from Turkey’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports of 1.1 million tons to 118 countries. In this period, the Russian Federation ranked first with $184.2 million, followed by Iraq with $61.9 million and Romania with $60 million.

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Iran: Exports to Russia up 36% in 2018

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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.

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Sharp Drop of Moldovan Apple, Plum and Table Grape Exports to Russia

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According to analysts from EastFruit, despite the record harvest of apples and plums, Moldova has sharply reduced its exports to Russia in September 2018 compared to the same month last year. Apple exports from Moldova to Russia fell by 42%, from 27.2 to 15.8 thousand MT. However, this volume still exceeded that of September 2016, when exports amounted to just 13.4 thousand MT.

As of the third week of November, Moldova still has record stocks of plums in cold storage. In September, its exports to Russia amounted to 9.3 thousand MT and were 6% lower than in the same month a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the export of table grapes dropped even more significantly, by 23.4%, down to 3 thousand MT. In the same month a year earlier, 3.9 thousand MT of table grapes were delivered from Moldova to Russia. Also, the supply of Moldovan peaches and nectarines to Russia dropped almost five times, from 527 MT to 113 MT.

It is also worth noting that the export of Moldovan pears to Russia recorded a slight increase, although the total volume remained insignificant. In September 2018, 177 MT of pears were exported.

All in all, in September, Moldova became the Russian Federation’s eighth largest fruit supplier, receiving $ 14.5 million in revenue; 23.5% less than in September 2017. Moldova’s share in Russian fruit imports fell from 6.3% in September 2017 to 5% in September 2018. A year earlier, Moldova stood fourth in this ranking, but in 2018, the country has been overcome by China, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Argentina.

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Grape Imports on the Rise this Season

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The volume of fresh grapes imported by Russia has slightly increased in the first seven months of 2018, as reported by EastFruit analysts, citing data from the International Trade Center (ITC).

Thus, the volume imported in January-July 2018 reached 105 thousand tons, which is the highest figure for this period since 2014 and is 2.4% higher than the volume recorded in the same months of 2017.

The key suppliers of fresh grapes to Russia during this period were India, Chile and Turkey. India supplied about a quarter of the total volume of fresh grapes imported by Russia in the first seven months of 2018, and the shares of Chile and Turkey were 16% and 17%, respectively.

In any case, it is worth noting that the majority of fresh grape imports into Russia take place towards the end of the year. In the first seven months, only about a third of the annual supply volume is imported. Therefore, it is still too early to judge what the general prospects for this year’s entire grape import season will be. However, given the results so far, the final volume is likely to be at least as good as last year’s. The return of Turkish grapes in the Russian market in June 2017 is mostly to thank for this.

It is worth recalling that before the introduction of the ban on imports (in January 2016), Turkey was a key supplier of fresh grapes to Russia and exported about half of the total volume purchased annually by Russian importers. To be precise, Turkey’s share of Russian grape imports in 2014 and 2015 stood at 48% and 51%, respectively.

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80% of Fruit and Veg Shipments to Far East Russia Arrive Through Manzhouli

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80% of fruits and vegetables on the tables of residents of the Far East of Russia are supplied through the Manzhouli/Manchuria/Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region bordering the Trans-Baikal region of Russia, according to the local customs service.

Statistics show that by the end of the first half of 2018, the volume of agricultural exports from China to Russia via Manzhouli grew by 22.1 percent year-on-year, reaching a value of 1.44 billion yuan (about $ 209 million).

The value of fruit exports amounted to 650 million yuan (94.2 million dollars), which is 110 percent more than in the previous year. Meanwhile, vegetables shipments were worth 597 million yuan (86.5 million dollars), 13.1 percent less than in 2017.

The growing demand for fruits and vegetables on the Russian market, according to experts, is due to the improvement of the country’s economic situation and the increase in the purchasing power of its population.

The period of greatest demand for agricultural products in the Far East of Russia will be that from October to May next year. Manzhouli enjoys great advantages for the supply of fruits and vegetables to Russia due to its geographical location.

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Russia Became World’s Second Largest Banana Importer Last Year

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In 2017, fresh fruit and vegetable imports into Russia grew by 17% compared to the previous year and amounted to 7.1 million MT. Of this volume, 22% corresponded to bananas, 20% to citrus fruits, 10% to apples and 7% to tomatoes. Last year, Russia became the world’s second-largest banana importer (1.5 million MT), losing first place to the US and overtaking Germany. Also, there was a significant increase in the supply of mandarins, watermelons, celery and avocados.

The agency’s experts associate the growth of imports with the lifting of restrictions on the import of Turkish products, a record import of Ecuadorian bananas, and the establishment of relations with China, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

The largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables last year was Ecuador, which accounted for 21% of the total volume of Russian imports in this category. Almost all imports from this country consisted of bananas, which, according to the FCS, stood at 1.4 million MT; 11% more than a year earlier. The second largest supplier was Turkey, which accounts for 14% of all Russian fresh fruit and vegetable imports. In fact, Russia absorbs one third of Turkey’s total fruit and vegetable exports. According to the Federal Customs Service, Turkey’s most important export product in 2017 was citrus fruits, with almost 600 thousand MT shipped, mainly in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Russian market also purchased Turkish grapes, peaches, nectarines and apricots.

In third place was China, whose share is 10%. The most important Chinese products were tomatoes, with sales volumes increasing by 26%, to 109 thousand MT, as well as apples (with a 13% drop, down to 100 thousand tonnes). China also supplied onions, mandarins, cabbage, grapefruit, bell peppers, carrots and pears. As noted earlier by the press service of the FCS, the physical volume vegetable imports from China increased by an average of 1.4 times.

Imports from Belarus, which ranked fourth, dropped to 540 thousand MT, compared to 630 thousand MT in 2016 and 1.1 million MT in 2015. The main Belorussian products exported were peaches and nectarines (88,000 MT), tomatoes (70,000 MT), pears (77,000 MT), potatoes (51,000 MT) and apples (47,000 MT).

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Russian fruit and vegetable imports partially recovered

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When compared to the previous year, Russian imports of fresh fruit and vegetables have increased considerably over the last year. A total of 7,1 million MT was imported, 17% more than in 2016. It is, however, not nearly as much as in 2013. In the year before the boycott came into force, Russia imported almost 8,5 million MT of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The (partial) recovery of the imports is, firstly, due to the boycott of various Turkish products being lifted in 2017. In addition, a record volume of (Ecuadorian) bananas and products from other countries were imported. The most important of these countries are China, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Moldova. The record volume of banana imports is particularly noticeable. Last year, Russia surpassed Germany and is now the second largest importer of bananas in the world, besides the United States. Russia also imported a record volume of mandarins, it’s second most popular import product. Russia is by far this product’s most important import country. Russia’s import volumes of all other regularly consumed products also rose in 2017. This country’s import volumes of lesser-known products, such as kaki, garlic, watermelon, celery, avocado, and mangoes, also reached record highs in the past year. (more…)

Food Imports Increased in 2017 Pushed by Fruit and Veg Purchases

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The import of food into Russia increased by 6% in 2017, according to data from the Federal Customs Service.

There hadn’t been growth for several years. After the collapse of the rouble and the introduction of the import ban in 2014, the import of products had been greatly reduced. In 2016, the country imported 20% less food than two years earlier.

The main reason why this trend is changing is due to the fact that Russia has been importing more fruit and vegetables.

“The import of fruit has grown due to the greater volumes of cherries and grapes from Turkey, bananas from Ecuador or citrus fruits from South Africa,” explained the Federal Customs Service.

Besides, several countries which are not subject to sanctions have also increased the sale of vegetables to Russia.

Experts say that the stronger rouble is also helping boost imports. The cost of foreign products is declining, and consumption is increasing. This indicates that foreign vegetables are not being replaced by domestic ones, but that people have been eating more vegetables and fruits, so suppliers have been buying more.

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Chinese Fruits and Vegetables Dominate Sales in Russia

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Three years ago Russia implemented punitive measures against European countries and the United States of America. Later they also carried out sanctions against Turkish products. Against this background, Chinese fruits and vegetables have started occupying sales counters in Russia. According to the customs office of the Russian Federation, Chinese fruits and vegetables had only held 9.6% of the market shares in Russia, but this has grown by almost 20% in the first half of this year. The Chinese potential is huge.

Due to the climate and the use of all kinds of technologies, the crops grown in China are more abundant than those of many other countries. The produced vegetables and fruits respectively take up 60% and 30% of the global output. Only for potatoes, the yearly Chinese output has reached up to somewhere between 60 million and 70 million tons, which is more than twice the output of Russia itself. Many sorts of Chinese products have started increasing their market shares on the Russian market, among these is the Chinese cabbage’s increased from 25% to 39%. Some products have nearly monopolized the Russian market. Garlic, for example, holds 80% of the market share. Currently, Russian importers have been paying more and more attention to Chinese products.

Cheap prices are one of the main reasons why Chinese goods are becoming increasingly popular. Chinese producers can provide cheaper products than competitors in other countries. As a matter of fact, the amount of Chinese products crossing Russian sales counters is a lot larger than was indicated by the customs office. In the most recent 10 years, Chinese people have started growing large amounts of vegetables within the Russian borders. The main Chinese plantations are located in Siberia or in the region around the Ural mountains. Chinese communities can be found throughout almost all agricultural regions in Russia. The output of these farms that are operated by Chinese growers is a multiple of the output of farms in China, but the price for products is a lot lower.

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