With the value of the Russian currency at its lowest value against the euro and U.S. dollar in many years, the Argentine and Chilean fruit industries are feeling the effects through a greatly diminished trade with the former Soviet country. 

Falling oil prices and an uncertain economic environment have taken their toll on the Russian ruble in recent months, having fallen 40% against the dollar and between 20-30% against the euro.

Argentina is one of the most severely affected countries by this devaluation, with Russia normally receiving up to a quarter of its pome fruit exports.

Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI) executive director Marcelo Loyarte told www.freshfruitportal.com the ruble's fall was a 'significant issue' for the country as it made it difficult to do business using the current exchange rate.

"The main crops affected, undoubtedly, are apples and pears. Every company is developing their own distinct business strategies to allay the effect generated by this market's crisis," he said.

"It's difficult to resolve a problem when you don't control any of the variables. We will just have to wait and see how the business relationships evolve in each country and with each client."

Across the Andes in neighboring Chile, an apple exporter explained the trouble he was facing this season with regard to currency troubles.

"Russia is a growing market for Chilean apples. This devaluation they've had has really hit hard, in the sense that they can no longer pay good prices for our fruit. It's so much more expensive for them now to buy a box of apples than it was before the devaluation," Agropecuaria Wapri general manager Antonio Walker said.

"On the other hand, there is oversupply of fruit in Europe, which is the result of Russia's import ban on the EU. So this means the fruit has to be consumed in Europe. Russia needs fruit because they have little supply, but at the same time it's very expensive for them to buy a box of Chilean apples."

Walker said because of these challenges it was essential for the industry to diversify its markets and ensure that fruit quality is always at its highest possible level.

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