The Serbian apple sector is anxiously waiting for the next move by Russian watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor following accusations that Polish apples have been re-exported through Serbia.

Serbian apple exporter ZZ Vocko director Marijan Davcik believes the warning is unjust because 'there may have been a mix up' over the interpretation of the sudden increase in apple supplies from Serbia.

"I heard the news yesterday (March 23) that Russia was threatening to ban produce from Serbia which I don't think is very fair as I don't believe Serbian companies are re-exporting apples from Poland or anywhere else," he told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"There is confusion and incorrect interpretation over the increase in apple volumes to Russia from Serbia, but this is because last year Serbia did not export high volumes because, at that time, prices were low and therefore not competitive."

Davcik says last year he was trading high volumes in alternative markets such as Egypt and Montenegro with the Serbian domestic market also absorbing large quantities.

"We were exporting to other countries where we could get a better price. This year it's a different story and Serbia is exporting much higher volumes to Russia again because prices are better.

"That's the reason imports have increased. They are not apples from the European Union, they are our (Serbian) apples; we export all the apples we have to Russia. It is that simple.

"I truly do not believe it's correct to say that Serbian companies are doing this and I hope the Serbian government discusses this with Russia and solves the issue before it becomes a real problem as we have contracts with Russian buyers and I don’t want a ban."

Fresh Market director Aleksandar Pavlovic is 'slightly anxious' as currently Russia accounts for around 90% of his market share.

However, he believes this will not transform into an embargo and the Serbian government will intervene to ensure trade continues unhindered.

"For around the last eight months we have been trading with Russia and right now Russia is by far our biggest market. To lose this, at this stage, would be extremely bad, he told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"These days in Serbia, the government is doing all the tracking of apple exporters with inspections happening all over the country. The Russians sent a warning to our government saying that if they do not receive a reaction from our side, they will stop imports so now the Serbian inspectors are checking all companies and we are waiting to see what happens next.

"We are surprised there may be somebody using this opportunity to send Polish apples through Serbia but at this stage it is not clear if whoever it was actually sent apples or if there has been a problem with the documentation somewhere along the line.

"My company is supplying apples to Russia and only, of course, apples of Serbian origin."

Pavlovic adds that if there is proof that Serbian companies have deliberately been involved with circumventing the EU-wide Russian embargo then there should be 'appropriate punishment'.

"If there is evidence that someone did something wrong, then I agree there should be some kind of repercussions but I am not so sure if that means a ban.

"At Fresh Market, we don’t deal just with apples; we export all kinds of products to Russia from plums, stone fruits, strawberries to all sorts of vegetables, so it would be extremely bad for us and cause huge problems if there was any kind of sanctions.

"I hope it will be sorted out, the Serbian government inspectors will do a proper job and it will remain just a warning from the Russians. I believe that once our minister of agriculture has gone to Russia to meet people on that side, everything will be fine."

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