Russia imported 1.5 million tonnes less during first half of 2016

Once again, Russian import of fresh fruits and vegetables decreased sharply during the first half of this year. During the first half of 2015, 20 per cent less was imported already, due to the import ban implemented in August 2014. This year it was another 16 per cent less. In total, due to the boycott of import from the EU and a number of other countries, one-third less fresh fruits and vegetables were imported during the first half of this year. This amounts to at least 1.5 million tonnes.

The boycott of Turkey was added this year. Poland and Turkey are most affected by the boycott. From January to June this year, 500,000 tonnes less fresh produce was imported in Russia from both countries compared with the first half of 2014. Compared with last year, losses for Turkey were even bigger. The import ban was not yet in effect for that country then, it was implemented 1 January of this year.

The Netherlands and Spain exported about 175,000 tonnes of fresh produce just before the boycott during the first half of 2014. Belgium was also an important supplier for Russia before the boycott.

It is striking that import from a number of countries not affected by the boycott also decreased sharply during the first half of 2016. Some examples are Israel (64,000 tonnes less than in Jan-Jun 2014), China (35,000 tonnes less), Morocco (34,000 tonnes less) and Argentina (27,000 tonnes less). It should be noted for Morocco that during the first half of this year a recovery was noticeable compared to the first half of last year.

After implementing the boycott a lot of fresh produce was imported by Russia via Belarus. This amounted to at least 1.1 million tonnes for all of 2015. The results of the boycott were less severe because of that. During the first half of 2016, the amount of import in Russia via Belarus sharply decreased. In total, 290,000 tonnes, compared to 600,000 tonnes in the first half of 2015, was imported by Russia from January to June this year. Mostly apples, pears and tomatoes were sent to Russia via Belarus during the first half of the year.

Egypt profited most from the boycott. During the first half of 2016, 360,000 tonnes of fresh produce were imported from Egypt. That is nearly 100,000 tonnes more than in 2014. The products imported most were oranges and onions. Serbia also profited from the boycott. Apples were imported either from or via Serbia, for the most part. The other countries profiting from the boycott are mostly former Soviet republics. 

Interestingly, the import of the most important import product, bananas, reached record sizes during the first half of this year. From January to June, at least 745,000 tonnes of bananas were imported. These come almost exclusively from Ecuador. The second import product was apples during the first half of 2016. Import only amounted to 360,000 tonnes, compared with 860,000 tonnes during the first half of 2013, and 740,000 tonnes during the first half of 2014. During the first half of this year, 325,000 tonnes of tomatoes were imported, compared to 600,000 tonnes before the boycott was implemented. The import of pears decreased from 360,000 tonnes during the first half of 2014 to 150,000 tonnes during the same period this year. The decrease of oranges remained limited. Other products whose decrease remained limited, or which even increased, were grapefruit, sweet cherries, garlic, apricots and plums.