Russia: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual
In marketing year (MY) 2013, Russia remained one of the biggest importers of fruits in the world having purchased 1.2 million metric tons (MT) of apples, 391,060 MT of pears, and 324,910 MT of grapes. Russia imports approximately 6 million MT of fruits and berries which accounts for roughly two thirds of total consumption. On August 7, Russia announced a one year ban on fruits and vegetables from the U.S. Canada, EU, Australia, and Norway. These countries supply around 30 percent of all imported fruits to Russia - 64 percent of total apple imports, 60 percent of pears, and 8 percent of grapes. The full substitution of fruit imports from banned countries is virtually impossible - especially in the short run. Coupled with a plummeting Ruble and dropping disposal income, overall fruit consumption is expected to decrease in MY 2014 and beyond.
