Last week Russia imposed atemporary ban onfruit imports from Moldova, following the ban introduced at the end of last year on Moldovan wine.
The decision was taken due to 'systematic violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements', according to the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service.
The prohibition reportedly applies to apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums and sloes, the Moscow Times revealed.
The move is thought by many to be a reaction to Moldova's fostering of closer economic andpolitical relations with theEuropean Union, with theMoldovan parliament ratifying anassociation agreement with theEU earlier this month.
Russian politicians have expressed fears that afree trade zone with theEU would flood theRussian market with Moldovan imports andcheap, re-exported European goods.
Moldovan imports currently benefit from a lack ofcustoms duties since the country is a member ofa free-trade zone with Russia andother CIS nations.
Alexander Slusar, thechairman ofMoldovan agricultural union Uniagroprotekt, has stated that theban could lead toa collapse in fruitprices onthe Moldovan market.
'Only 10 to20 per cent ofproducers can reorient their exports toother countries,' he told Prime news agency. 'They will be forced tosell their harvests onthe domestic market.'
