DOJČINOVIĆ: EXPORTS TO RUSSIA KEY OPPORTUNITY FOR SRPSKA'S FRUIT SECTOR

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 15 /SRNA/ – The President of the Republika Srpska Fruit Growers Association Dragoja Dojčinović said that exporting fruit to the Russian Federation market represents a major advantage for the sector, especially as this year is shaping up to be highly favorable and promising.

“We were exporting to the Emirates and found ourselves facing serious concerns. Now that the Russian market has reopened, it is a significant benefit for our producers,” Dojčinović said. He noted that the decision had been long awaited, adding that there are now concerns that irresponsible individuals might attempt to gain financial profit through dishonest practices. “Our unscrupulous exporters were engaged in re-exports. There was a lot of fruit coming from the EU, and this must be strictly controlled,” Dojčinović emphasized. He added that the development will also benefit small producers who have faced difficulties in placing their products on the market. “This is a major advantage and a positive development. It is news to be welcomed, as well as the efforts of our representatives who negotiated it,” Dojčinović noted. The Russian Federation has approved the import of apples and pears from Republika Srpska starting in April, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac announced. According to Košarac, the approval applies to "Bioplod" from Kozarska Dubica, which will be able to export 200 tons of pears; "Frut Eko" from Gradiška - 480 tons of apples; and "Agroimpeks Nova" from Banja Luka - 3,500 tons of apples and 800 tons of pears.