RUSSIA-CRISIS/FLOWERS-FARMERS Russian farmers say they won't benefit from Dutch flowers ban

Record ID: 144272

  • Title: RUSSIA-CRISIS/FLOWERS-FARMERS Russian farmers say they won't benefit from Dutch flowers ban
  • Date: 11th August 2015
  • Summary: MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA (AUGUST 11, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WORKER CUTTING ROSES AT FLOWER FARM RED ROSES ROSE BUSHES AT FLOWER FARM VARIOUS OF EXPERT EXAMINING FLOWER LEAF WORKERS PUTTING BAGS WITH FLOWERS ON TROLLEY PINK ROSES COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF PODOSINKI GREENHOUSE COMPLEX, IRINA ZEMTSEVA, LOOKING AT ROSE BUSHES ROSES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF PODOSINKI GREENHOUSE COMPLEX, IRINA ZEMTSEVA, SAYING: "I think it is stupid to expect any sharp price hikes. This will not happen. Prices will rise by no more than 5-10 per cent in my estimate." ROSES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF PODOSINKI GREENHOUSE COMPLEX, IRINA ZEMTSEVA, SAYING: "I hope that in the nearest future, in a month or two, a solution will be found to this issue. Not only us, not only the Podosinki greenhouse complex, but other greenhouse complexes as well are in need for seedlings. And such (large) volumes of seedlings are delivered every year. At the end of the day it is a big customs income which we pay in a form of customs duties and taxes. We are ready to pay them but please give us a right to buy the seedlings in the Netherlands." VARIOUS OF WORKERS PUTTING ROSES ON BELT VARIOUS OF ROSES ON BELT ROSES BEING PREPARED FOR PACKING MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 11, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ROSES ON DISPLAY SIGN READING (Russian): 'FLOWERS' RED ROSES ON DISPLAY MAN BUYING FLOWERS MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 10, 2015) (REUTERS) PEOPLE PASSING BY STAND WITH FLOWERS VARIOUS OF FLOWERS ON DISPLAY WOMAN PASSING BY STAND WITH LETTERS READING (Russian): 'FLOWERS' LETTERS READING (Russian) 'FLOWERS' FLOWERS ON DISPLAY FLOWER SHOP ASSISTANT BEHIND DOOR WITH LETTERS READING (Russian): 'OPEN'
  • Embargoed: 26th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9WWT5CH6ADQQN40UWMNTP92WP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A big Russian flower farm said on Tuesday (August 11) it did not expect to benefit in case the government imposes a ban on Dutch plants.
    Russian agricultural watchdog on Monday (August 10) started thorough checks of imported flowers after several shipments of plants, mostly from the Netherlands, were found to be infected with parasites. Earlier in July Russian authorities said they may consider a ban on flower imports.
    At a vast greenhouse complex not far from Moscow thousands of roses are cut every day. Although these flowers are Russia-grown, the seedlings were brought from the Netherlands - one of the world's main flower producers.
    The Podosinki greenhouse complex commercial director says only 20 per cent of Russian flowers marked is filled with Russia-grown plants.
    But according to Irina Zemtseva, flowers are shipped from many countries, including Latin American and African states, which means a possible ban on Dutch flowers would not affect the market too much.
    "I think it is stupid to expect any sharp price hikes. This will not happen. Prices will rise by no more than 5-10 per cent in my estimate," Zemtseva said.
    Although Zemtseva approves close scrutiny on imported plants to protect Russian plants from infections and parasites, she says many Russian flower farmers rely on imports and hope the situation will be solved quick enough.
    "I hope that in the nearest future, in a month or two, a solution will be found to this issue. Not only us, not only the Podosinki greenhouse complex, but other greenhouse complexes as well are in need for seedlings. And such (large) volumes of seedlings are delivered every year. At the end of the day it is a big customs income which we pay in a form of customs duties and taxes. We are ready to pay them but please give us a right to buy the seedlings in the Netherlands," she said.
    According to Russian media, the country imported 79,000 tons of cut flowers and flower buds worth $612.7 million last year.
    Russia banned most Western food imports from August 2014 in reaction to Western sanctions over Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis. Russian food producers and farmers said they expected to benefit from the ban which was later prolonged till August 2016.
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