September 10 2008, 10:14

Russia cannot decrease its dependence on imported vegetables and fruits

The question of the food security of Russia becomes more relevant against exacerbation of relations with the western countries. Alexei Gordeyev, the Minister of Agriculture of Russia, expressed hope that a federal law about food security will be accepted by the end of 2008, RBC Daily reported.

According to the experts, dependence of Russia on imported food products is still high. And while in dairy, meat and sugar industries the domestic producers have an ooportunity to compete with the western companies, than, for example, they cannot substitute fruit and vegetable imports, first of all due to climatic conditions of the country.

“We cannot get rid of dependence on fruit and vegetable imports due to climatic conditions of the country,”- Andrey Semenov, PR-manager of JFC company, one of the leading fruit importers, reported. From three of the most demanded among population fruits – bananas, citrus and apples- two do not grow in Russia. According to the data of JFC, last year the share of the imported produce in some categories of fruits reached 65%.