Despite multibillion-dollar subsidies and embargoes, imports of fruits and vegetables to Russia continue to grow

Despite Russia's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign markets and increase domestic production of fruits and vegetables, imports of these goods have seen a consistent increase, growing by 3.4% in 2021 to reach $7.6 billion. This growth is part of a larger trend, with the annual average growth rate for imports over the past five years being 5.6%. This situation highlights the low effectiveness of the Russian government's subsidization efforts for its own production.

The article points out that the high prices Russian consumers pay for fruits and vegetables compared to neighboring countries, despite subsidies and currency devaluation, indicates significant inefficiencies in Russia's agricultural sector. The import of key vegetables like potatoes and watermelons has seen substantial increases, with Turkey and Iran emerging as the main suppliers. There has also been a rising demand for exotic fruits and vegetables, which Russia cannot produce due to climatic constraints. These trends have benefited exporting countries such as Egypt, China, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Belarus, Moldova, and Israel, with Georgia experiencing particular growth in its revenue from fruit and vegetable exports to Russia.