Russian imports of fresh fruit and vegetables not recovered after boycott

Russia is the third largest importer of fresh fruit and vegetables globally, importing 7.1 million tons in the past year. The country has been stimulating its own agricultural production since the introduction of an import boycott, with a subsidy program that has allocated 311 billion rubles. Despite the fall in the ruble's value, the import of plant material has become more expensive. Russia's production of vegetables and fruits is not enough to feed its population, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has noted a lack of quality plant material and agricultural expertise in Russia. The import of fresh fruit and vegetables into Russia has seen a decrease of 12% on average in 2018 and 2019 compared to 2013 and 2014, but imports from Turkey have reached the level of the 'short' boycott in 2018. The main suppliers of fresh fruit and vegetables to Russia are Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Serbia, with the export assortment varying greatly from country to country.