January 25 2012, 16:51 Fruit-Inform

Russia expected to import more citrus from FSU countries in 2012

According to www.rg.ru, Russia imported about 1.4 million tonnes of citrus fruits last year that is almost 10% higher year-on-year. The share of FSU countries (former Soviet republics) in Russia's total citrus imports decreased to 10% in 2011, while a year earlier their share amounted to 14%. The experts say that last season's climatic peculiarities caused a reduction of Russia's citrus imports from Abkhazia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia; however, the situation will cardinally change in 2012.

David Zodelava, Chairman of Georgian-Russian Business Development Council, said that Georgia is actively working on citrus exports to the Russian Federation. According to him, Russia may recommence imports of Georgian citrus fruits already in the first quarter of 2012.

Georgian produce will be exported by 4 companies. Russia's total citrus imports from Georgia may reach 55,000 tonnes per annum (mandarins will account for up to 65% of them, lemons – for 20%). Georgian authorities plan to hold talks on export recommencement with Gennadiy Onishchenko, Chief Sanitary Officer of Russia.

In the meantime, Abkhazia almost halved its citrus exports to the Russian Federation to about 8,000 tonnes (80% - mandarins) in 2011. According to Beslan Dzhopua, Minister of Agriculture of Abkhazia, a sharp decrease in exports was caused by low citrus production in the country. In 2012, Abkhazia plans to export no less than 10,000 tonnes of citrus fruits to Russia.

Azerbaijan expects to increase its citrus exports to the Russian Federation by more than 30% to 14-16 thousand tonnes this year.