Russia Turns to Morocco and Turkey for Food Imports Amid China Supply Disruption

In order to replace vegetable and seafood imports from China in the context of the coronavirus epidemic, Russia plans to replace them with food products from Turkey and Morocco, according to the director of Rusprodsoyuz.

Rusprodsoyuz director Dmitry Vostrikov said that in the context of the coronavirus epidemic, vegetables and seafood, "which constitute the basis of China’s food exports to Russia, are declining and can easily be replaced by supplies from other countries, such as Morocco and Turkey," reports Sputnik.

According to his explanations, over the 11 months of 2019, more than 453,000 tons of vegetables were imported from China, for a total value of more than 336 million euros. Behind China, we find Israel, with 139,000 tons for a value of 123 million euros, followed by Turkey from where more than 136,000 tons of products come for 134 million euros. As for prices, their evolution will depend on the balance between supply and demand.

Since the start of the coronavirus epidemic, many countries have suspended their imports from China, to protect themselves from a virus that has already killed 564 people and affected some 30,000 people.