Russia began importing fruits and vegetables from Syria to partially replace banned Turkish agricultural produce, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported.
According to the paper, Russian food importer Adyg-Yura has been talking to local retailers to import their produce.
Company Chairman Aslan Panesh said the second shipment of Syrian agricultural goods arrived to the port of Novorossiysk in southern Russia last week.
Panesh said: “Poor quality packaging is still the problem which currently prevents us from regular supplies of Syrian fruit and vegetables.”
The businessman said his company will invest nearly $10 million to produce modern packaging in Syria within the next six months
“The measure will enable the firm to import some 3,000-5,000 tonnes of Syrian fruits and vegetables weekly.”
In January, Russia banned the import of Turkish fruits and vegetables after Turkish warplanes downed a Russian aircraft in Syrian airspace. Turkey said the plane had violated its airspace.