



Russia may impose new food import restrictions next week, reports said on Thursday, in what could be responses to new Western sanctions over Moscow’s support of rebels in Ukraine.

The country has already announced several food import bans following Western sanctions.

“Our experts are currently examining the seriousness of the situation, and assessing the risks. The assessment will be over in a couple of days, at the beginning of next week. … After that, there is a possibility of imposing restrictions on Greek fruit imports to Russia,” said Alexei Alexeyenko, Rosselkhoznadzor’s deputy head.

According to Alexeyenko, the decision will depend on the scale of the problem.

“The fruit season has just begun, starting the fruit supplies from Greece. We will examine them as well, and decide,” he explained.

According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, in 2013 Greek fruit supplies to Russia included citrus fruits, grapes, melons, apples, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches and plums, and other fresh fruit.

Fruit comprised about 34 percent of the $611.3 million in Greek imports to Russia.

The share of Greek apricots, nectarines, peaches and cherries has reached 12.5 percent of the Russian market, while Greek supplies of fruit falling into the category of “other fresh fruit” (raspberries, wild strawberries, etc.) was estimated at 15.7%. The share of the other fruit supplied by Greece to Russia is less significant.

(source: RIA Novosti)



