Moldovan agricultural producers plan to put around 100,000 tons of fruit, mainly apples, worth more than $85 million on Russian markets by the end of the year.
Yuri Plopa, chairman of the Association of Moldovan Farmers NORD FRUCT, commented on the decision of Rosselkhoznadzor to lift restrictions on the supply of fruits from Moldova to “Moskva” news agency.
“Moldovan producers are resuming negotiations with Russian chains concerning the supply of fruit, primarily, apples. According to the Association’s forecast, by the end of 2015, Moldova will be able to send around 100,000 tons of fruit to Russia, worth $85 million; in 2013, 180,000-200,000 tons were imported to the value of $168 million. In 2014, because of the restrictions on Moldovan agricultural products, around 30,000 tons of product were sent to Russia,” remarked Plopa.
In turn, the largest retail chains operating in Russia, confirmed to the agency “Moskva”, their interest in resuming purchases of Moldovan apples, plums and grapes.
In particular, as reported in the press service of the company X5 Retail Group, the trading network "Perekrestok" is planning to buy fruits from Moldova.
“Soon the company’s specialists intend to make contact with Moldovan producers. We mainly plan to resume the supply of Moldovan apples, grapes and plums. But to talk about the volumes at this stage is premature,” stated the press service of the retailer, having added that because the fruit from Moldova is traditionally cheaper than counterparts from other countries, buyers will have an additional opportunity to purchase fresh fruit at reasonable prices.
“This season we are prepared to consider proposals for Moldovan grapes and apples in the case of offers of competitive prices and the desired level of quality,” reports the agency in the press service “Metro Cash and Carry.” According to the press service, the volume of purchases will depend on the final offer price and quality.
The company "Auchan" also expressed willingness to import fruit from Moldova, which it believes would generally reduce the prices of these fruits in Moscow shops.
“Cooperation with Moldovan producers allows the company to expand the range and improve the healthy price competition among suppliers, in order to reduce the final cost of goods on the shelf,” explained the director of external communications for "Auchan Russia", Maria Kurnosov.
From 21st September Rosselkhoznadzor allowed the supply of a wide range of fruits from Moldova under the guarantee of the National Agency for Food Safety of the Republic of Moldova. As a result, around 46 Moldovan companies have received permission to export apples, pears, fresh quince, apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums and sloes to Russia.
As previously reported, the import of Moldovan fruit was limited by Rosselkhoznadzor on July 21st, 2014 due to non-compliance with Russian legislation in the field of quality. In particular, in some batches of Moldovan agricultural products the larvae of eastern tent caterpillar moths were found, which affect the fruit and young shoots.
Source: mskagency.ru