In response to a substantial decrease in this year's apple production, attributed to May frosts affecting central and northwestern regions, Russia is set to import apples from North Korea. The shortfall quantified at 30-40 percent of the typical yield, has led to a doubling of apple prices in retail outlets. To address this deficit, Russia plans to augment its apple supply through imports from a diverse group of countries including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Serbia, China, Belarus, and Transnistria, alongside North Korea.
Furthermore, the diminished apple harvest is projected to impact the Russian cider market, with expectations of a price surge in 2025. Alexander Kazakov, at the helm of the National Association of Traditional Cider Producers, noted a 25-100 percent increase in the cost of industrial apples. In the interim, China has emerged as a principal apple supplier to Russia from January to July 2024, with a 2.9-fold increase in imports compared to the prior year, totaling 22.2 thousand tons. Notably, the price for these imports witnessed a 24.1 percent reduction to $904.4 per ton.
Source: Pravda