Russia has extended its ban on produce from the U.S. and the European Union through the end of 2018. The ban was first put in place in 2014 and includes the U.S., E.U., Norway, Ukraine, and several other countries. The ban was going to expire on January 1st but Russia extended its sanctions after the E.U. extended its own trade sanctions against Russia through January 31st. The ban applies to fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other agricultural products from a list of countries that put trade penalties in place because of Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. A Packer Dot Com article says the import ban has put the squeeze on American producers as no shipments to Russia means increased competition from the E.U. in other markets. USDA statistics show that apple exports to Russia in 2013 were worth over $13 million dollars. Pear exports that same year totaled $12 million and grape exports were worth $2.7 million.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.