Albania, Russia working to lift vegetable ban

TIRANA, Dec. 25 – Albania could soon resume vegetable exports to Russia after a ban imposed by the Russians over the authenticity of Albanian products after it was identified that Albania was used as a cover for imports from the EU.
TheCattleSite reports that senior Albanian agriculture officials have visited Russia to discuss the lift of the ban, claiming they have put in place measures to ensure the authenticity of the products and certificates.
Russia’s ban on EU fruit and vegetables in response to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the EU over its support to rebels in Ukraine, will have negligible impact on Albania as a new EU candidate country considering the minor trade exchanges between the two countries.
Data by the country’s state statistical institute INSTAT show total Albanian exports to Russia grew by six times to 197 million lek (around Euro 1.4 million) in 2013 with food and vegetables accounting for slightly more than a quarter, or around Euro 400,000.