Russia introduced customs duties on the import of a series of products made in Moldova, including meat, sugar, wheat, vegetables, alcoholic beverages, and furniture, on August 31. The list includes 19 types of products, IPN reports, quoting the Russian press.

Until now the Moldovan products were exempted from import taxes based on a bilateral free trade agreement. According to Russian press reports, the bans imposed by Russia on the import of Moldovan fruit is related to the risk of re-export of goods from the EU following the signing by Moldova of the Association Agreement with the European Union.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, during his last visit to Tiraspol, said that Russia likes the Moldovan fruit, but there is a danger that goods that do not suit Russia will enter its market in the form of Moldovan products.

According to the Russian authorities, in 2013 Moldova exported vegetables of US$3.6 million and fruit of US$121.5 million to Russia.

During Russian Deputy Premier’s last visit to Chisinau, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrian Candu noted that the imposed restrictions are excessive and unjustified, if looking through the angle of the international commitments and practices, and run counter to the provisions of the bilateral and multilateral legal framework that regulates trade with Russia. According to Moldovan officials, the taken measures are political rather than economic in nature.