The European Commission is disbursing 5.3 million Euro in compensation to Belgian farmers. The money is to be disbursed in the following weeks. China export more vegetables to Russia. Compared to last year, the volume increased by 45.3%, and the worth by 22.5% to 204,000 MT and 82 million dollars respectively. In Russia, a greenhouse centre was put into operation. Using the latest technology, cultivation of cucumbers on 2.5 ha has begun. The centre has 5.2 ha in total. In recent years, the range of greenhouse vegetables in Russia has become more diverse. While in 2012 mostly cucumbers were grown, the number of products cultivated in greenhouses is growing. And despite the boycott, Russian apple growers don't get higher prices for their produce. Import from non-banned countries is one factor that slows down price increases. The Russian Orel region wants to export fruit and vegetables to Saudi Arabia, in exchange for investments.
5.3 million support Belgian farmers disbursed
In the following weeks, Belgian farmers who held back their produce from the market due to the boycott, will receive EU compensation, the Flemish Ministry of Agriculture reports. All in all, Belgian farmers requested 5.3 million Euro in compensation. Over the past weeks, the European Commission looked at the requests, and on Tuesday the EC decided to pay.
Chinese export Russia +45%
During the period January-September of this year, the volume of vegetables crossing the Russian border at the Chinese checkpoint Manchuria-Zabaykalsk increased by 45.3% compared to 2013. In absolute figures, this amounts to a total of 204,000 MT. The export increased in value by 22.5%, to 530 million yuan (82 million dollars). Liaoning, Heilongjian and Inner Mongolia are the most important export regions of vegetables to Russia. Around 61% of export consists of onions, potatoes and tomatoes.
Production started in Russian greenhouse centre
In a greenhouse centre in Teplitsy Belogoriya, in the Belgorod region, production has started. That means phase two of construction of the centre, with 5.2 ha, has been completed. The centre consists of two units, and modern cultivation techniques and environmentally friendly methods are used, which comply with international standards. There is also organic cultivation in the greenhouse. According to the regional government, 2.5 ha of cucumbers have been planted, and the plants are already bearing fruit.
Russian apple prices stable
Despite the boycott, apple prices in Russia are not increasing. For the fifth week in a row, prices remain stable. One reason is that other countries have jumped into the market. Apples from Belarus, Serbia, Chile and Argentina prevent prices from going up. Russian growers sell for 15-25 roubles (0.38-0.63 dollars) per kilo. Over this period, prices are no less than 15% higher than in the same period a year before.
Russian fresh produce to Saudi Arabia
The Russian Orel region, near the border with Ukraine, was visited by a trade delegation from Saudi Arabia. The Orel government wants to export banned products to the Arabian country, with fruit, vegetables, meat and honey being included on the list. This way, the region wants to improve relations with Saudi Arabia. Orel also wants the Saudis to invest in agricultural centres, greenhouses, a sugar plant and a grain processing plant.
Wider range of vegetables in Russian greenhouse
While, according to statistics, 60% of Russian greenhouses were filled with cucumbers in 2012, in recent years a shift has been noticeable. In 2012, the cucumber harvest amounted to 1 million tonnes, for tomatoes the total amount was 400,000 tonnes. A year later, the amount of cucumber had gone down significantly, with tomatoes doing better. An Intesco Research Group study further shows that growers have started cultivating a wider range of vegetables in greenhouses. Products like lettuce, parsley and onions are doing well.
Argentine trade mission to Moscow
The Argentine ministers of Industry, Agriculture and Foreign Affairs are visiting Moscow to discuss trade relations. The Russians indicated earlier that they wanted to increase import from Argentina, with the Argentinians wanting to profit from the market opportunities in Russia following the boycott. Since 2000, Russia has been improving relations with Latin America. Mid-November, a Russian delegation will visit Argentina.