When they're not run off their feet making orders and strategic plans in the wake of the recent ban on EU food, Russian produce importers have shown optimism that new sources will be found.

"I don't see any imported fruit from Europe that it won't be possible to live without," says Tropic International commercial director Alex Rubtsov.

The executive has less reason to worry than most, given his company has historically only sourced 5% of its fruit and vegetables from Europe; around 20 percentage points below the average portfolio.

He says the Tula-based distributor has made a point of looking to countries outside the western sphere - a trend his compatriots will need to follow from now on unless a solution to the current trade spat between Russia and the West is found.

"The situation is normal, and actually we will be able to supply almost all of the fruits and vegetables we used to buy from Europe either from local growers or other countries," he says.

"In citrus, we will have large volumes from Turkey, Egypt and Morocco and no one will feel the ban.

"Who else will benefit? Countries like South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Iran, and Uzbekistan...Israel is a very important exporter too and will have a good role."

He also adds India will be able to supply the market with good volumes of potatoes, pomegranates, onions and grapes, although the latter will come in February or March.

When asked about the seasonal factors involved with countries mentioned from the Southern Hemisphere, Rubtsov says there may be some shortages at times.

"Yes it could be in pears that there will be a shortage. The Southern Hemisphere countries are finishing their season, but this will also be positive for local growers.

"Maybe pears will be more expensive, maybe more than RUB100 (US$2.76) [per kilo], but more or less all will be okay.

"In the past we've imported blueberries mostly from Holland and Chile."

Chile however can only supply the market during the Northern Hemisphere winter, which means Russians can forget about having much of a supply of the antioxidant-rich fruit for the time being.

"I don’t think many people in Russia eat blueberries, maybe 1-2%," he says.

In terms of other products. Spain's Valencian Farmers Association (AVA-ASAJA) has highlighted the damage the ban places on its persimmon industry. However Rubtsov says Uzbek persimmons have proven to be a better cheaper option for the market anyway.

A representative of Moscow-based fruit importer Globus Group says her company has traditionally sourced a quarter of its produce from Europe, driven particularly by large volumes of Polish fruit, which were banned earlier than the recent prohibition of food from the EU, Norway, the U.S., Canada and Australia.

"There are a lot of different feelings in Russia bout this but I think the imports lost from Europe can be replaced to some extent by other sources, but not 100%," she says.

"For example, Serbia is strong in apples, Iran in kiwifruit, and Turkey in grapes and vegetables," she adds, also mentioning that the already strong source of Israel will likely ship more volumes, and further imports could be brought in from South America and nearby countries like Georgia.

"Also from China, we have seen that they have European varieties in apples and pears, as well as grapes, and we could consider looking to that as an option."

When asked about shortages for more premium fruits like cherries and blueberries that are grown in the Northern Hemisphere summer, she says new sources will need to be found.

"We will be able to buy from Chile in the winter but we will have to find a new way to bring them in, as before we brought them all through the Netherlands."

Photo: miss_ohara, via Flickr Creative Commons

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