Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselhoznadzor) in a month is to take a decision whether to lift the ban on fresh and canned Moldovan fruit or not. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov, after paying a visit to Moscow, said he explained to the Russian officials that it’s nonsense to maintain the ban after introducing customs duties on these products, IPN reports.

The minister stated that speculators profit from the fact that Moldovan products are exported to other countries too and take them to Russia from these countries. Therefore, the fresh and canned fruit of Moldova are sold on the Russian market at higher prices. The Russian consumers thus also sustain losses. This is not Moldova’s problem. It is a consequence of the ban.

Vasile Bumacov added that an agricultural exhibition was staged in Moscow, where Moldova had one of the most representative stands. The quality of the Moldovan products was discussed there and it was emphasized that they are popular on the Russian market. “We suggested that Russian experts should come and inspect the orchards in Moldova so that they convince themselves that our fruit is of a high quality,” he said.

He also said that indirectly the ban imposed by Russia brings benefits to the Moldovan producers, “We should thank them for the new impetus given to our producers that will thus extend the export markets. The results will be evident in several years, but, when our producers enter the EU and Arab markets, they will not be able to satisfy the demand as the supply will be lower,” stated Vasile Bumacov.

Russia imposed a ban on the import of Moldovan wine a year ago, while on the import of fresh and canned fruit this June. The customs duties on the Moldovan products exported to Russia came into force on September 1.