Sanctions paradoxes: a real boom in cheap Russian cucumbers in Poland
27 May 08:21
Imports of fresh cucumbers from Russia to Poland rose to a four-year high in March due to extremely low prices despite European Union sanctions. This is evidenced by data from Polish and European agencies, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Polskie Radio.
The Polish food quality control agency IJHARS reported that the volume of supplies from Russia in the first quarter of this year was “significantly higher” compared to the same period last year.
Large-scale inspections at the border
Inspectors thoroughly checked 125 consignments of Russian cucumbers at the Polish border between January and mid-March. According to the results of the control, all batches met the commercial standards of the European Union, IJHARS reported.
However, during subsequent spot checks at wholesale outlets, incorrect labeling of the country of origin was found. Fines were imposed for this “unfair and illegal” practice, the supervisory authority noted.
In February, Polish officials rejected a shipment of cucumbers delivered via Belarus after laboratory tests revealed that the permissible pesticide levels were exceeded. In particular, the concentration of the insecticide pimethrosin was 0.13 mg/kg, which is six times higher than the EU limit. The cargo was returned to Russia.
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Regional concern
The alarm is being raised in the neighboring country. Latvian agricultural producers are expressing serious concerns that re-exported Russian cucumbers could undermine the market for local products and create unfair competition.
“It seems absurd that we are discussing aid to Ukraine while Russian food is moving freely throughout Europe,”
– said Jānis Būšs, chairman of the Baltic Vegetables cooperative.
In Riga, there are growing calls for a Europe-wide ban on imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, similar to the grain restrictions imposed earlier during the war.
Price versus principles
Poland itself does not seem to be too concerned about ethical issues of trade with the aggressor. Trade analysts point out that Russian cucumbers enter the European market at a price of 1-1.20 euros per kilogram, which is 30 percent lower than offers from Dutch or Spanish suppliers. This price difference tempts wholesalers.
Nevertheless, Poland’s Minister of Agriculture Czeslaw Siekerski told reporters that the country will insist on stricter rules for tracing the origin of products and a system of rapid response to violations of pesticide regulations.
Prospects for tougher sanctions
EU agriculture ministers are expected to discuss further agricultural sanctions against Moscow next month. This step may be a response to the growing concern of European producers about unfair competition from Russian goods sold at dumping prices. In this context, few people remember the promise to support Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia to the end.
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