EU figures show that the export of agricultural produce has increased, but a side note is that this positive development doesn't apply to fruit and vegetables. Since Russia closed its borders, twelve percent less has been exported. Moldovan growers made a protest song against the destruction of food, and prices in Ukraine are skyrocketing. Not just imported products are more expensive, but due to disappointing harvests the prices for domestic products are also higher. The Italian government wants to support companies that do business with Italy, and sees potential in cooperation with Russia. Putin's popularity has never been higher, according to Russian media, and this is mainly caused by the Russian intervention in Syria.
European export up, but not for fruit and veg
In the first twelve months after Russia closed its borders, European export has gone up by 5.7 percent compared to the year before, as shown by figures published by the EU. In the first half of 2015, the export increased significantly, with a record in March of nearly 12 billion Euro. The second half of the year started positively, with an eight percent growth in July compared to the same month a year earlier.
There was mainly growth in the export to the US (+16%), China (+33%), Switzerland (+5%) and in a number of Asian markets, including Hong Kong (19%) and Korea (+29%). Export to Middle Eastern markets also went up, like Saudi Arabia (+10%), United Arab Emirates (+14%) and Egypt (+26%). The positive figures don't apply to trade in fruit and vegetables, by the way. Between August 2014 and July 2015, the export was twelve percent below the levels of a year earlier. A similar scenario applies to the export of dairy, the meat sector did display growth. Click here to read the report.
Moldovan growers make protest song
Growers in Moldova released a cover of Queen's hit song 'The Show Most Go On' on YouTube, in protest of the destruction of fruit and vegetables. The video shows growers of different ages and products. The footage shows the problems growers are facing, while the fruit and vegetables in Russia are being destroyed.
