NFU Scotland is to extend its regular monitoring of retail shop shelves to examine any impact that the Russian trade ban may have on prices or demand for Scottish produce.
While the Russian EU export ban, announced earlier this month, is not expected to cause significant disruption to Scottish farm produce, there is the potential for an indirect impact because EU products typically exported to Russia will have to find a new market. This may result in supply and/or price pressures in Scottish and UK markets.
Some member states in Europe are already reporting significant price falls in some commodities. The European Commission has made €125 million available for the fruit and vegetables sector for the period up to the end of November. This funding is likely to be focussed on measures to withdraw product from the market. A meeting in Brussels tomorrow (28 August) will consider the impact of the Russian ban on the animal products sector, particularly dairy, with the option of opening Private Storage Aid being floated.
NFU Scotland regularly examines shelf space in Scottish supermarket stores to look at support given by retailers to Scottish and British beef, pork, lamb and chicken. In light of the Russian ban, that ScotchWatch monitoring will be extended to soft fruit, vegetables and dairy produce.
NFU Scotland’s Food Chains Relationship Manager Kylie Barclay said:
“While there are limited direct impacts of the Russian ban on Scottish farmers and their produce, the indirect impacts remain largely unknown.
“However, given that one of the EU’s largest exports to Russia is fruit and vegetables, and the perishable nature of these products, the ban is already being felt in some countries. The EU is in the process of putting measures in place to support the sector but it is important that we monitor any ramifications for our growers here in Scotland.
“For that reason, key fruit and vegetables for Scotland – such as raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots and onions – have been brought into our weekly ScotchWatch monitoring scheme so that we can quickly get a handle on any supply or price issues.
“Our pigs committee has concerns over disruption to traditional pork and bacon export routes while dairy is another sector thought to be exposed to the export ban due to displaced product, particularly cheese. Europe will consider livestock product markets tomorrow (28 August) but working with the Union’s Policy Managers, we will monitor any wholesale or retail concerns for all Scottish produce over the coming weeks and months.” Ends
