Putin meets Juncker
The Russian president Putin and EC president Juncker met each other yesterday at the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. The sanctions weren't mentioned during the meeting, the Kremlin announced once it was over. "There is a general understanding that despite disagreements we shouldn't operate within a vacuum," according to the Kremlin. Later this month the EU will decide on the extension of the sanctions against Russia.
Sarkozy for lifting sanctions
Former French president Nicholas Sarkozy is joining those in favour of lifting the sanctions against Russia. "We don't need a new Cold War. I can't allow a political wall to be built between Russia and Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain," according to Sarkozy. This is why both parties have to take steps towards gradually lifting the sanctions.
Turkey seeks to approach Russia
Although it is not uncommon for a letter of congratulation to be exchanged between the countries, the letter the Turkish president Erdogan sent to the Kremlin on June 12 had an extra political edge. Besides a congratulations for Russia Day, the president said he wanted to improve their relationship with the country, an Azerbaijan news site wrote. The Turkish prime minister is also said to have sent a similar letter to his colleague Medvedev. According to the reports the Kremlin hasn't responded to the letter.
Belgian agriculture loses 5% turnover
The trade between Russian and Belgium was 28 percent lower in January this year than it was a year previously. According to Russian calculations the turnover of the Belgian agricultural sector has decreased by 5% due to the boycott. The Belgian sector has partially been able to adapt to the new situation, the Russian ambassador in Belgium said to Russian media. Russia mainly imported pears, tomatoes, pork and dairy from Belgium.
Apple prices are on average 25 percent lower, Vilt calculated, but the main loss is being taken by the pear grower. In 2013 pears were still 30 percent of the export to Russia.
China export rises due to better infrastructure
Despite investments in the Chinese infrastructure the export of fruit and vegetables to Russia has risen strongly in the first five months of this year, figures announced by the Chinese authorities show. At two checkpoints in the autonomous region Inner Mongolia 101 million dollars worth of products crossed the border. This is an increase of 42.15 percent compared to last year. The first load of fruit crossed the border last March. The first products were transported to the Russian town Novosibirsk by train. As of last November there is also a train link for reefers to Moscow. 1,024.7 tonnes of fruit and vegetables were exported from the Chinese town Erlianhaote in the first five months, much higher than last year.
First carrot on the market
The first carrot from the South of Russia was brought onto the market this week. This started the season a week later than usual. The cause is the heavy rain. The early carrot is receiving 0.45 to 0.56 dollars. The supply will increase quickly, as more growers have started the harvest.
Sending onions back
The Russian phytosanitary service has sent a party of 21 tonnes of onions from Kyrgyzstan back to the exporter. The onions were imported by truck through Kazachstan. During the inspection of the onions it was discovered that the product wasn't foreseen of a necessary phytosanitary certificate.