May 21 2007, 09:30

Fading hopes for abolition of Russian embargo on Polish produce import

Being the largest supplier of fresh produce on Russian market, since November 2005 Poland has not been able to legally supply vegetables, fruits and berries, and also other plant products to Russia. Also, the analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal" pointed out that the supplies of Polish produce have been implemented in the increased rates since that time.

To the experts' opinion, the recent summit Russia-EU led to no results. No one noticed any movements forward but for Russian mass media, which mentioned the constructive position of Russia and observed a certain progress in the conducted negotiations. So, Polish farmers have less hope to restore the civilized trade with Russia by a new season; there is a great discontent recorded in the farmer environment. Polish orchardists plainly blame the Government, which is reluctant to create neighbor-friendly relations with the largest buyer of their produce.

We'd like to remind that today the supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables of Polish and Georgian origin have still been banned. As a result of long-time diplomatic efforts Moldova managed to partially unblock the produce export channel to Russian market. In various periods of time Russia banned the import of fresh produce from Turkey and Netherlands; however, at the present moment Turkey is actively building up the volumes of its vegetables, fruits and berries supplied to Russian market.