The current downturns in the pigmeat and dairy sectors can be at least partly attributed to the closure of the Russian market to food imports from western countries.

In 2014, Russia banned the importation of food from Europe, America, Canada, Norway and Australia in retaliation to Europe’s sanctions on Russia as a result of the conflict in Crimea.

With Russia confirming that it will extend the ban on the importation of food from Europe and North America until July 2016, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said that Europe is no closer to regaining access to Russia but that talks will continue.

“We’re trying to see what we can do on the non-embargo food products in the pigmeat sector in Russia. We had a number of (European) member states visit Russia this week about opening up opportunities,” Commissioner Hogan said.

”Ring Mr Putin”

So, will it be 2016 before we see the market open fully?

“Well I think you’ll have to ring Mr Putin about that,” the Commissioner answered wryly.

“He has a role to play in all of this. He is the one that caused the problem and we unfortunately have to respond in solidarity with our European member states in relation to the impact from an agricultural point of view. We (the European Commission) have spent €450m to date in supporting farmers in terms of price and in terms of market assistance. I think that has been appreciated and has made some impact at least,” Hogan said.

European food exports

Since 2014 and the implementation of the Russia ban, European food exports have actually increased, Commissioner Hogan said.

“We lost €5.2bn in exports to Russia since the ban was imposed last August (2014). We now have replaced that particular amount of exports with €6.8bn of exports from July 2014 to July 2015,” Hogan explained.

“That is a significant achievement by the agri-food and drink sectors. On the pigmeat sector, 73% of our pigmeat that was going to Russia is going to the Philippines. Albeit not at as good as a price but we are hopeful that we will be able to get some traction on the on-embargo products like lards and fats and offals in the pigmeat sector,” the Commissioner added.

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