Smuggled apples

Miracles of Belarusian statistics: how the government makes money on Russian embargo.

Since August 2014 Russia has had a food import ban from the European Union, US, Canada, Australia, and Norway. Meat and dairy products, fish, vegetables, and fruits got to the "blacklist". According to experts, total annual imports under sanctions equal $9 billion, Nasha Niva reports.

Russia cannot satisfy domestic food demand with its opportunities, therefore, local sellers are looking for ways to "cheat" embargo. And the Belarusians are ready to help them.

The blogger iva-dim found interesting non-coincidences, having compared data of Belarusian statistics and our trading partners.

Let's take apples as an example. In 2013 Belarus imported 181 thousand tons. Last year the demand 'suddenly' increased. Import of apples increased to 415 thousand tons.

Traditionally, Poles were the main suppliers of import apples to Belarus, but their production is banned in Russia. But Russian citizens are ready to buy apples from countries outside the European Union. Belarusian suppliers have had a moment reaction.

According to Belsat data, there have been bought Serbian apples valued at $14.4 million. But there statistics showed only $1.4 million.

The same thing is with Chile. Belarusians bought up local apples valued at $9.1 million, but the Chileans...did not sell them.

Macedonia is a good option too. Before 2014 apples from this country were not delivered to Belarus, but last year deliveries made up $6.4 million. But Macedonian statistics is not aware of it.

The Russians use advantages of countries outside the European Union and with no middlemen involved. Apples valued at $1.4 million left Macedonia, but there were received them equaled $4.1 million.

Russia is allegedly seeking to limit suspicious deliveries. A month ago the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance limited import of apples from "permitted" Serbia. "Re-exported fruits from the European Union are imported under the guise of Serbian apples", officials complained.

However, the scheme is still working. It is primitive, but effective.