Russia food safety experts inspect Georgian exports

Russian food safety experts are coming to Georgia to conduct on-site inspections of Georgian fruit and vegetables earmarked to be exported to the Russian market.

Positive results of on-site inspections may result in Georgian fruits and vegetables reentering the Russian market for the first time since an embargo was imposed in 2006, said officials at the Georgian Service for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Agency. The products inspected include peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, washed and packed new potatoes, tomatoes and cucumber 

Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Rosselkhoznadzor representative will arrive in Georgia on June 15.  

"Laboratory analysis will be conducted immediately before the fruits and vegetables are packed for export as this list of exported commodities are the phytosanitary high risk products,” the Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Agency said.  

From May 26, a selection of Georgian summer fruits (peaches, apricots, plums, cherries) and vegetables will be sold throughout Russia, said Georgia’s Agriculture Minister today. 

Russia gradually started to lift its trade embargo on imports of Georgian products in 2012 after being banned for seven years by Moscow because of alleged food safety concerns – not to mention punitive political motivations that contributed to the decision. 

Initially, Russia lifted the embargo on wine, then tea, dried fruit, laurel and fruits including citrus, apple, pear and quince.

The value of Georgian exports to Russia has increased dramatically since 2013 when the embargo was lifted. Last year the total volume of exports from Georgia to Russia was $190 million USD (24 percent of turnover), while the import volume was $589 million USD (76 percent of turnover).  

Russia was Georgia’s fourth largest export and import partner country in 2013. In total, the trade turnover expanded by 50 percent ($260 million USD) with Russia last year.