August 26 2011, 10:09 Fruit-Inform

Further record-breaking imports of bell peppers in Russia

According to Fruit-Inform Project, Russia imported record-breaking volumes of bell peppers in the first half of 2011. The previous record registered last year was exceeded by 17%.

Fruit-Inform Project's analysts explain such a situation by high prices for traditional vegetables and potatoes registered in Russia in January-May of this year. Therefore prices for such a traditionally expensive product as imported bell peppers did not seem high for Russian consumers, for example, against a background of white cabbage prices. Increase in imports was also caused by overall trend of bell peppers popularity growth in Russia, as the country's import volumes have been only growing in recent years, inclusive of the crisis year 2009.

Israel is Russia's biggest traditional supplier of bell peppers with the share of 40% in total imports. Lithuania, China, Turkey, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Uzbekistan are among other major exporters.

We would remind you that more detailed information about the weekly price situation in the Russian and Ukrainian markets for fruits and vegetables, the history of prices over last 5 years and forecasts of their changes as well as full production, import and export statistics is available for subscribers of Fruit-Inform Weekly. Also the detailed fresh produce production, trade and price forecast for Russia will be presented during the Fourth International Conference “Fruit & Vegetable Business of Russia – 2011”. The event will take place in conjunction with World Food Moscow, September 14, 2011. Registration of the conference participants is currently in active progress.