Russia to import meat and dairy products from Israel

Russia is set to import meat and dairy products from Israel, said Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Aleksey Likhachyov.

The country is expecting to import the first batch of these food products from Israel by the end of this year.

This decision follows Russia’s one-year ban on the import of certain food products from the European Union, the US, Australia, Canada and Norway in August in response to their sanctions on Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

Ria Novosti quoted Likhachyov as saying: “In recent weeks, there has been an active increase in deliveries of vegetables and fruits to replace the products that disappeared from the Russian market by virtue of our embargo on the import of products from countries that have imposed sanctions against us.

“Today, we are actively working on the inspection of a number of Israeli companies that produce dairy and meet products to allow them to deliver to the Russian market. I think that at the end of the year, we will see the first batch of such products. I think our customers will be satisfied.”

It is also being speculated that Russia will import meat and dairy products from Indian companies, with four suppliers already given access. Russian experts will soon evaluate various food processing plants in India, with a full list of Indian companies allowed to export meat and dairy products to Russia expected by the end of the year.

RIA further quoted the minister as saying: “Four companies have already been certified. Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Federal Veterinary watchdog) has planned a series of inspections in order to permit access to products of particular companies.

“Some of the decisions related to the access of agricultural products to the Russian market will be adopted before the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission scheduled for 5 November.”

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Image: Russia plans to import the first batch of meat and dairy products from Israel by the end of the year. Photo: courtesy of amenic181/freedigitalphotos.net.