Russia's ban on certain Polish fruit and vegetables, including apples, has inspired a defiant campaign in Poland to boost domestic consumption, the Guardian has reported.
Polish business newspaper Puls Biznesu published an editorial entitled 'Stand against Putin: eat apples, drink cider', while many Poles, including various celebrities, have taken to social media to endorse the campaign, posting photos of themselves eating Polish apples.
A Facebook page by the name of Jedz Jablka Na Zlosc Putinowi ('Eat apples to annoy Putin') has also been created.Marek Sawicki, Poland's agriculture minister, voiced his opinion that pressure from Russian consumers would lead to the ban being overturned.
However, he also stated that the ministry was keen to explore new opportunities for its apple producers in markets like China, Japan and Vietnam. Poland currently stands as the world's largest apple exporter, with annual exports of €438m.
Russia's ban is regarded by most as politically motivated, a reaction to Poland's support for EU economic sanctions against the country. The sanctions are a response to last month's downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, apparently at the hands of Russian-backed insurgents, although no Russian involvement has yet been proven.
Russia, which last year imported €336m of Polish fruit and vegetables, denies any political motivation behind the ban, which it says stems from Poland's alleged violations of health regulations and documentation procedures.
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