Russia turns to India for fruits after Ukraine-linked dispute with Ecuador
New Delhi, February 19
A spat between Russia and Ecuador has come in as an opportunity for Indian banana traders who have started exporting the fruit in large quantities to Moscow.
Russia began importing bananas from India after its long-time banana supplier Ecuador transferred its Russian-origin military hardware to Ukraine, allegedly under American instructions.
Row over military hardware to Kyiv
- Russia started importing bananas from India after its long-time banana supplier Ecuador transferred its Russian-origin military hardware to Ukraine, allegedly under American instructions
- Russia is also looking at importing mangoes, pineapples, papaya and guava from India
The first batch of bananas from India was shipped to Russia in January and the second consignment of 20 tonnes by Gurukrupa Corporation was flagged off for Novorossiysk port on Saturday, stated an official release.
Despite being the largest global producer of bananas at 26 per cent, India’s export share in the global market is only one per cent.
Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision, said Moscow would import other fruits as there was no restriction on the import of fruit and vegetable products as long as consignments were accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
Russia is also looking at importing mangoes, pineapples, papaya and guava from India, it said.
The official Russian explanation for stopping banana imports from Ecuadorian companies is because of detection of pests. But the ban came immediately after Russia condemned Ecuador’s plans to transfer Russian-made military hardware which it says is “Ukrainian and Russian scrap metal” to the US in exchange for American hardware worth $200 million. The US has said it will send the weapons to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
