Russia is banning the import of finished fish and seafood products from unfriendly countries.
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The decision was approved by the government, the press service of the Russian Economic Development Ministry said. It was adopted as part of a set of response measures to actions by unfriendly countries and will be in force until the end of 2023.
The ban will enter into force 7 calendar days from the date of publication of the government decree.
The ban on imports from the European Union, the U.S., and Norway will free up certain market niches that will be filled by domestic producers, the Economic Development Ministry said, citing information from the Agriculture Ministry.
Their capacities are fully capable of meeting the needs of the domestic market for these products.
"Russian companies will have the opportunity to increase production volumes, expand their ranges and increase the number of jobs," the Economic Development Ministry said in a statement.
According to the Federal Agency for Fishery, the ban on imports will make fish products more accessible to consumers.
"The increase in the cost of imported products is due, among other things, to an increase in the exchange rate. This, in turn, led to an increase in the cost of domestic products. A decrease in the share of imported products in the market will eliminate the negative impact of exchange rate volatility on the cost," the agency said.
Alexander Savelyev, head of the information agency for fisheries, is sure that the ban on the import of fish products from unfriendly countries will be enthusiastically received by Russia's entire fishing industry.
"We are a self-sufficient country, Russia borders 14 seas with outlets to three oceans, we have more than two million lakes and more than two million rivers. We have plenty of fish," Savelyev told Interfax.
Russian fishermen catch about 5 million tonnes of fish a year, he said.
"This is quite enough to satisfy the demand of Russians for a healthy diet, even according to the modest Health Ministry norm of 22 kg on average per person per year. We also have very high exports. We are the largest supplier of fish to China," he said.
The import of seafood to Russia should generally be reduced to zero, Savelyev said. "The imports bring us fish of a much lower quality than what our fishermen and aquaculturists catch and produce," he said.
"Russia produces the best seafood in the world. "Fish of the northern seas, as it is called in Europe. It is protein of wild origin. We must use this rationally," he stressed. ■