Russia’s apple crop projected to break 1.5 million-ton barrier

Russia’s 2018/19 apple production is forecast at 1,506,100 tons, according to USDA. Nevertheless, despite being a major producer, Russia imported 858,600 tons in 2017/18. Imported volumes of apple are predicted to decrease to 815,000 tons in 2018/19. Similarly, Russia’s imports of table grapes and pears are also expected to fall this year, to 270,000 tons and 352,000 tons, respectively, due to the rise in domestic production.

Russia’s apple production area expanded by 1% in 2018/2019 to 212,000 hectares, as orchards restructure to accommodate new more productive varieties. The horticultural sector has been supported by government subsidies of US$194.8 million between 2013 and 2018 to compensate for the lack of imports from the EU and the US.