Russian food market research

Russia has become the largest importer of cherries from Iran for the first time

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By the middle of June 2012, Russia has become the largest importer of cherries not only from Moldova, but also from Iran.
Russia remains one of the world’s major importers of cherry: it is up to 75 MTM tons per year, while the Russian domestic cherry production is up to 70 MTM per year.
In 2011, Russia became the second largest exporter of cherry from Iran for the first time. In 2012, Russian export from Iran has been already evaluated as $ 6 million. Beside the cherry export from Iran, export of other products (such as potatoes, vegetables, tea, citrus fruits, olives, rice and processed products) is also growing.
In Moldova, according to the forecasts, the cherry harvest will be up to 10 MTM in 2012, that is 15% more than in 2011, and more than 50% of the harvest will be exported; and it is forecast that at least 65% of the exported cherry will go to Russia.
Export from the Caucasus region and Central Asia to the Russian market has a share of 20%.

Source: www.fruitnews.ru

Philippines: Russia potential banana market

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Russia held a celebration for its national day (June 12th) last Thursday night with diplomats, Philippine government officials and businessmen in attendance at the spacious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Ballroom, Makati City. The event provided a chance to develop closer trade links between the two countries.

Trade between the two countries reached $1.64 billion in 2011, up 15 percent from the previous year. Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev opened the possibility for Filipino banana growers to sell their produce to Russia following China’s claim in March that it had found pests in bananas from the Philippines, prompting it to impose stricter regulations in screening the fruit.

“That could be a possible point of cooperation because we buy bananas from Ecuador and Central America. Those (countries) are too far away,” he said.

Source: www.freshplaza.com

Fruits from Chile launches in Russia

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The new branding for the Chilean fresh fruit industry has been showcased for the first time in the Russian Federation as the country continues to roll out its new identity at major trade fairs and through promotional activities around the world.

The new brand, Fruits from Chile, was launched during one of the first promotional events in Russian supermarket Azbuka Vkusa in Lotte Plaza, Moscow, on 1 June, according to a press release from the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex).

“We are happy to collaborate with the Chilean companies, whose products are highly valued by our consumers,” said Andrey Golubkov, press secretary of the Azbuka Vkusa retail chain. “We offer the best fresh fruit to our clients throughout the year, and our policy is to be faithful to products of highest quality and to the most responsible suppliers”.

The event was opened by the Chilean Minister of Agriculture, Luis Mayol, during which guests had opportunity to taste fresh fruit from Chile and to take part in the culinary master class devoted to dishes featuring fruits from Chile.

Russian is an important destination for Chilean fruit exports to the European continent, representing the third largest export market for the direct sendings of Chilean fruit to this region.

During the 2010/11 season, arrivals of Chilean fruit to the Russian market rose by 8 per cent.

“Considering the fact that there’s always a great demand for fresh fruit in Russia throughout the year, it is possible to say that the further growth of supplies of fruit from Chile will be a source of great enjoyment for the Russian customers,” Asoex said.

Source: www.fruitnet.com

Russian fish imports steadily declining

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Fish imports to Russia are steadily declining this year, which means that the country is succeeding in the process of fish imports’ substitution. In April this year vis-à-vis March, imports of chilled and frozen fish declined by 24.4 per cent to USD 171 million. For April 2012 compared to April 2011, they were down 18.9 per cent.

The decline was due to lower imports of trout and mackerel. For the period of January-March 2012, frozen trout imports were down 39.6 per cent to 2,900 tonnes; frozen mackerel declined 47.5 per cent to 13,600 tonnes. For the same period, imports of frozen capelin were up 3.2 times to 37,500 tonnes; sprats up 37.3 per cent to 16,900 tonnes; and whiting by 14,100 tonnes. While imports of herring fillets were up 11.2 per cent to 11,900 tonnes, imports of Chinese tilapia and Vietnamese pangasius declined 36.6 per cent to 4,000 tonnes; and surimi by 14.8 per cent to 4,600 tonnes.

According to the Federal Agency for Fisheries, last year total Russian fish catch amounted to 4.225 million tons of fish and seafood, which is 197,000 tons (4.9 per cent) more than in 2010. Since 2008, the volume of the Russian fish catch is growing annually by about 300 thousand tons per year.

At the same time, according to analysts of the Fishretail, one of Russia’s leading magazines in the field of fishery, despite the currently observing imports’ decline, Russia still heavily depends on fish supplies from abroad.

Source: www.thefishsite.com

Conventional yields higher than organic

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Research suggests that organic agriculture might not be the answer to the world’s food supply problem

Organic yields are typically lower than conventional yields, according to the results of a meta-analysis published online by science journal Nature.

The report, which involved the re-analysis of 66 studies into 34 different crops, raises concerns for those who believe organic agriculture can help the world meet rising demand for food from a burgeoning population while minimizing the environmental impact of increased production.

The report’s authors emphasized that specific differences in relative yields were “highly contextual” – depending on system and site characteristics – but noted that the production gap was particularly wide in wheat and some vegetables.

Lead author and McGill University Earth system scientist Verena Seufert told Nature: “I think organic farming does have a role to play because under some conditions it does perform pretty well.”

Strawberries were singled out for showing just a 3 per cent difference in organic and conventional yields.

Source: www.fruitnet.com

Argentina: Less apples to Russia

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Argeninian exports of apple to the Russian market reached, about 17,000 tons by May 15.

The number reflects a drop of around 50% regarding consolidated shipments until the 15 of May of last year.

Analysing private statistics shows there’s a growing concern regarding the progressive loss in the market for this species. Looking at exports on the 15 of May of 2008, just four seasons before, we realize this hard reality.

On this date of 2008, the region exported around 54,000 tons of apple to the Russian market. More than three times of what’s traded today in this important destination.

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com

Fruit and Vegetable Business in Russia in 2012: will the Predictions Bear Fruit?

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ITE company, organizer of World Food Moscow 2012 exhibition, and Fruit-Inform, company which provides information and analysis of CIS fruit and vegetable market, announce that the Fifth International Conference, which is called “Fruit and Vegetable Business in Russia in 2012”, will be held on September 18, 2012.

This conference has already become the traditional meeting place for professionals from different countries, who deal with fruit and vegetable growing, storage, processing and wholesale and retail trade of these products.

The fact that this conference will take place during World Food Moscow 2012, one of the largest food exhibitions in Russia and CIS, allows all participants to derive the maximum benefit from it. During the exhibition, the negotiations with suppliers and customers will be held; and during the conference, all the participants will receive the exclusive market information from the leading experts in this field; and also they will have the opportunity to meet them and discuss all the questions face to face.

This year the conference is especially relevant and important because of two major events: the expected entry of Russia into the WTO and the bankruptcy of JFC company, the largest importer of fruits and vegetables in Russia.

The consequences of Russia’s entry into the WTO may change the geography of fresh vegetables and fruits supply, while bankruptcy of JFC Group may give a unique opportunity to different market operators – both importers and supermarket chains – to increase their market share. Besides, this year the price forecast of Fruit-Inform will be of great interest, as the last year the forecast of collapse of vegetables and potatoes prices and price decrease of apples worked by 100%! Of course, other important topics of Russian fruit and vegetable industry will be covered.

To participate in the conference “Fruit and Vegetable Business in Russia in 2012” it is necessary to fill out an application.

The information about the conference is on the site www.world-food.ru.

Source: www.world-food.ru

Russia main destination for Spanish fruit and vegetables

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In 2012, Russia continues to be the main destination outside the EU for the Spanish exports of fruit and vegetables, in February, shipments grew 50% regarding the same months of 2011, adding up to 47,362 tons, according to the last data from the Border Control and Special Taxes Department by the Tributary Agency and processed by FEPEX.

Exports of Spanish vegetables to Russia until February 2012 added up to 12,386 tons, some 64% more than in the same months of 2011. Cucumber and tomato are the main exported vegetables. Cucumber exports were 4,904 tons (+80%) and tomato were 4,200 tons (+85%). The third place is taken by lettuce with 1,622 tons (+64%).

As for fruit, exports in the first months of the year to Russia were around 34,976 tons, reflecting a rise of 45% regarding 2011.

In the fruit sector, the highlight goes to mandarin with 20,568 tons (+69%), followed at by the lemon with 5,665 tons (+107%).

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=96157#SlideFrame_1

Moscow 3rd Most Attractive for Retailers in Europe

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The Russian capital ranked third in top 10 most attractive cross-border retail destinations in Europe, the Jones Lang LaSalle consulting company said on Wednesday.

The company’s experts analyzed the presence of 150 leading international retailers within 55 European markets and created an index. It reveals that Moscow attracts the third greatest number of international retailers after London and Paris.

“The sustainable growth of the disposable incomes of Moscow’s 15 million inhabitants has steadily boosted retail sales for the past three years. Moscow, still under development, now accounts for the third largest retail market in Europe and is the gate to a market of 140 million consumers,” Maxim Karbasnikoff, head of retail with Jones Lang LaSalle in Russia & the CIS, was quoted in a statement as saying.

Source: en.rian.ru

Top Fruit Report Russia

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Pear: Conference has a good presence and some Abate from Italy, with stable prices but lower than in previous years. The arrivals from the southern hemisphere are still below those of 2011 and even 2010, having increased somewhat in the recent week; prices were adjusted for last week and remain below the previous ones for the last two years.

Apple: Poland dominates the market, which adds to the supply of Western Europe, with prices lower than those of 2011.

From the Southern Hemisphere a volume less than that of 2011 (-50%) and similar to that of 2010 has entered, due primarily to Argentina’s reduction. The first prices that were registered, were basically for Gala, they are below last year’s.

Source: www.freshplaza.com