Russian agriculture minister Alexander Tkachev said that the UAE could replace Turkey as a key supplier of fruit and vegetables to Russia, according to a report from Sputnik News.
The announcement came at the Gulfood exhibition, which is taking place this week in Dubai, where Russia is exhibiting its products for the first time.
Turkey has faced a ban on sending various products to Russia since the turn of the year, following Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet on the border with Syria in November.
According to Tkachev, the UAE could provide an alternative for products including various kinds of citrus, while the UAE presents an opportunity for Russian exports of meat and grain.
