Spanish fresh produce association Fepex has demanded the inclusion of melons and watermelons in the new regulations announced by the EU this week, to protect the fruit and vegetable sector in the face of Russia's ban on fresh produce imports.
Fepex noted that the melon and watermelon sectors, with direct exports from Spain to Russia of 2,731 tonnes and 615 tonnes respectively, and total EU exports to Russia of 7,143 tonnes in 2013, faces 'serious market disturbances' as a result of the ban – characterised by a sharp fall in prices following the Russian veto on EU imports, something the group said had 'heavily damaged' the campaign.
Fepex noted that the regulations announced by the European Commission on Monday 18 August should apply to all products affected by the crisis.
The inclusion of melon and watermelon on the list of protected products would help balance the markets for these products, and ensure the campaign did not suffer serious disruption, the group added.
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