The fruit became much dearer in Russia, with prices of over 50 euros per apple being reported there,  and this situation creates real preconditions for the export of Moldovan fruit to Russia to be resumed. Acting Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov has told IPN that after an agreement to resume at least the talks was reached with the Russian authorities, these already contacted the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova.

On the initiative of Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor), the administration of the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova had a telephone discussion with the Russian counterparts concerning the resumption of the export of apples to Russia. The Agency expressed readiness to officially guarantee the safety of fruit and the use of good practices by the Moldovan producers. The sides agreed that Rosselkhoznadzor should perform an audit of the national system for meeting the federal and international phytosanitary norms.

Vasile Bumacov believes the Russians will send a team of specialists to examine the conditions in which the fruit is kept so as to take a final decision as regards the resumption of the export. If need be, the acting minister is ready to go to Moscow to agree the procedures for reestablishing the normal commercial relations.