Argentine apple and pear exporters are becoming increasingly wary of the potential that may exist in Russia following its ban on EU agricultural products.
A number of companies returning from last week’s World Food in Moscow expressed doubts as to whether the veto would create new opportunities for the 2015 season, particularly in light of the difficult end to the 2014 campaign.
“Despite the ban we are seeing a lot of fruit circulating in the Russian market,” Marcelo Galardini of Patagonia Fruit Trade told Rio Negro. “Prices are stable and new supply sources are filling the void caused by the absence of European suppliers.”
Analysts are reporting an increase in apple and pear shipments from CIS countries to Russia, while volumes from China are expected to rise over the coming months.
Galardini said prices were around 25 per cent higher than last year at the close of the season due to the high level of apple stocks and the volume of fruit still circulating in the market.
“The season didn’t end as we expected,” said Roberto Gregori of Expofrut.
Argentine exporters said they would be monitoring the situation on a week-by-week basis up to the end of the year to get a clearer idea of the supply potential for the new season.
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