MOSCOW: Russia has been able to substitute imported foodstuffs hit by its food embargo imposed in response to western sanctions.
Agriculture Minister Nikolay Fyodorov said that perhaps, the range of products is not substituted by 100% but the problem of finding alternative suppliers from foreign states has been generally resolved.
Over the four months, we have actually substituted the shortfall of foodstuffs caused by Russia’s forced measures related to the so-called food embargo, the minister said.
Russia fully banned the imports of meat, fish, cheese, milk, vegetables and fruits from western countries that had imposed economic sanctions against Russian citizens and companies from August 7, 2014.
The countries that have slapped sanctions against Russia include the European Union member states, Norway, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. Russia’s food imports from these countries amounted to $9.1 billion in 2013, according to the Federal Customs Service, of which the EU accounted for 66%.
