Ukrainian agrarian companies could lose $17 million from the Russian ban on horticultural products brought from and via Ukraine in effect until the end of 2014, Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Ihor Shvaika said at a briefing in Kyiv on Oct. 22.
The main types of horticultural products which fell under the ban are fruit and vegetables, he said.
“The main types, which were exported to Russia, are vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, with 90% being underground vegetables (onions and root vegetables), as well as fruit such as apples, quinces, apricots, plums, and pears,” the minister said.
In the first nine months of 2014, Ukraine supplied 81,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, to Russia. In 2013, the figure was 133,200 tonnes for a total sum of $45.8 million, he said.
“Thus, if the ban remains in place until the end of 2014, producers’ losses from being unable to sell their products under earlier contracts could amount to around $17 million. Our specialists estimate that possible losses in 2015 could be between $50 million and $60 million,” Shvaika said.
As was reported, the Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor as of Oct. 22 introduced temporary limitations on all types of controlled horticultural products being shipped from and via Ukraine.
