Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

RUSSIA-EU TRADE SANCTIONS

TRADE

Russian food embargo could cost Italy €700m

Russia's decision to ban all EU food imports will have a negative impact across Italy, costing the industry as much as €700 million if it lasts a full year, a farmers' association told The Local.

Published: 8 August 2014 13:34 CEST

Russian food embargo could cost Italy €700m

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Italy in November. Vladimir Putin photo: Shutterstock

The Russian government on Thursday announced a year-long ban on food imports from the EU, US and other countries, in response to sanctions against Moscow over the Ukrainian conflict.

Such an embargo will hit the fragile Italian economy, which has slipped back into recession, and producers across the country.

According to Lorenzo Bazzana, head of economics at farmers’ association Coldiretti, all Italian regions are due to suffer.

“It’s important for all regions,” he told The Local. “The cost is difficult to determine. The total value of Italian food exports to Russia is €700 million a year. If there’s a total block, this is the cost.”

SEE ALSO: Russia import ban could cost Denmark billions

The wine trade will be most severely affected, Bazzana said, although a string of products including pasta will also fall under the ban.

For Coldiretti, the response needs to come from beyond Rome. “This isn’t only a problem for the government; it’s a problem for Europe,” Bazzana said.

“The EU needs to open diplomatic channels with Russia, to have political discourse at the international level.”

SEE ALSO: Austrian farmers 'will need EU aid after sanctions'

Russia spends around €2 billion on importing fruit and vegetables from Europe, making it a “primary destination” for EU traders, according to a 2012 European Commission report.

The country’s annual EU shopping list contains 98 kilotonnes of tomatoes and 535 kilotonnes of apples, the report said.

The collapse in trade represents a sharp turnaround in recent months, since popular protest in Ukraine descended into conflict between the country’s government and pro-Russian separatists.

In November Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was welcomed to Italy by Enrico Letta, then prime minister, where the pair agreed upon a €1 billion joint investment fund.

The deal was hailed as a welcome boost to both economies by the Italian premier, although critics said strengthening ties with Moscow would ultimately have a negative impact.

SEE ALSO: Russia bans Norwegian foods for one year

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Six of the most Italian non-alcoholic aperitivo drinks

Italy’s favourite aperitivo-hour cocktails are known far beyond the country’s borders, so their names will probably be familiar to you whether you drink them or not.

But if you’re in Italy and not drinking alcohol, you might find yourself stumped when it comes time to order your aperitivo at the bar.

The first time I found myself in this situation, there was no menu. The waiter instead rattled off a long list of all the soft drinks available, most of which I’d never heard of, and I just picked something I thought sounded nice.

Luckily it turns out that Italy has some great options for an aperitivo analcolico. As well as ‘virgin’ versions of well-known cocktails, there are bitters, sodas and other Italian-made soft drinks that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

They might not be quite as iconic as the Aperol Spritz, but they’re as thoroughly Italian – plus, effortlessly ordering one of these will make you look like a true local.

SanBittèr

San Pellegrino’s SanBittèr is one of the most famous non-alcoholic Italian drinks of all, with its highly-recognisable red packaging, often enjoyed in place of Campari cocktails because of its similar dark, ruby-red color.

This drink is carbonated with a slightly sweet, citrus flavor. The recipe is more complex than that of an orange or lemon soda, with notes of spice and herbs, making it ideal to pair with your aperitivo-hour snacks.

Crodino

Crodino looks a lot like an Aperol Spritz with its bright orange hue, and that’s not an accident: it’s said to have been created as a non-alcoholic alternative, and the zesty, slightly herbal taste is similar. It’s typically served the same way. in a round goblet glass over ice with a slice of orange: a Crodino Spritz.

The name comes from the town of Crodo in Piedmont, where it is still bottled today by the Campari group.

Chinotto

Citrusy Chinotto is an acquired taste for many, but it’s worth trying: it’s one of the classic Italian bitters and is said to have a long history, dating back to a recipe shared by Chinese sailors arriving on the Ligurian coast in the 1500s.

It may look a little like Coca Cola, but don’t let the appearance fool you.

(Photo by Eugene Gologursky /Getty Images via AFP)

Aranciata/Limonata

Aranciata is Italy’s version of an orange soda, but not as sugary, and it tastes like oranges. Its base is sparkling water with the addition of orange juice and sugar. There are various brands, but San Pellegrino’s is the most popular. It also sells a ‘bitter’ aranciata amaro, with even less sugar, more citrus tang and herbal notes, which might be more aperitivo-hour appropriate.

Limonata is, as you might guess, the Italian answer to lemonade. Again there are many versions out there but the fizzy San Pellegrino limonata is beloved for its strong, sweet-sour flavour and there’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer’s day.

Cedrata

Cedrata is one of Italy’s oldest and best-known non-alcoholic drinks. It’s a refreshing, carbonated drink made from a large citrus fruit called a cedro, grown in southern Italy. It’s far less bitter than a Chinotto, but not as sweet as limonata.

The main producer of Cedrata today is Tassoni, and this is what you’re likely to get if you order it at a bar.

Gingerino

This is harder to find than the other aperitivi on the list and is seen as decidedly retro, but it’s worth trying if you can track it down.

It’s another orange-coloured, sparkling drink which became popular in Italy in the 1970s and is still sold today, though you’re more likely to find it in the north-east, close to Venice, where it’s produced.

You may be expecting it to taste a lot like ginger beer, and there are similarities, but it has stronger citrus notes and more bitterness.

Url copied to clipboard!