Russia begins importing Syrian fruits and vegetables to partially replace sanctioned Turkish produce
Russia began importing Syrian produce to partially replace Turkish products which have been prohibited for import by Russian authorities since January 1st, Kommersant reported.
General Director of Adyg Yurak Zao, Aslan Panesh, said last week that nearly 3,000 tons of citrus fruits, cabbage and tomatoes arrived in Novorossiysk. According to him, it was the second batch but there had been some problems importing from Syria. Supplies from Syria are organized by the French shipping company CMA CGM.
After arrival in the port of Novorossiysk, the goods go to a wholesale food distribution center known as “Food City” in Moscow. It belongs to businessmen God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev who own the shopping and entertainment center “Evropeysky” near the metro station Kievskaya and the Radisson Royal Hotel, also known as the Ukraine Hotel.
Sources familiar with the matter state that the company Adyg Yurak is also under their control. Panesh, in turn, confirmed that he knows Nisanov and that he is on good terms with him but he said that he owns the company individually. A representative of Nisanov and Iliev did not comment on the information.
In early December, Syrian businessman Amjad Dub said that the first ship carrying 800 tons of fruits had been sent to Russia from Syria. It is noted that it was “the trial batch”.
At the end of 2015, President Dmitry Medvedev approved the list of banned products which have been prohibited from importing from Turkey since January 1st. The list includes vegetables, fruits, poultry and salt.