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.