Russia has announced that it is considering reduction or elimination of import duties on Iranian agricultural products – a measure that may be meant to encourage larger exports of Iranian fruits and vegetables to Russia.
Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters that the final decision on this issue must be taken by the Eurasian Economic Union.
“We are proposing serious steps to improve trade conditions for Iranians, meaning the reduction or, in some cases, even elimination, of import tariffs, primarily for agricultural produce — fruits and vegetables,”.
Russian leaders have cited Iran as a possible new source of supply, after banning imports from Turkey and Europe. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev approved a raft of sanctions against imports from Turkey in retaliation for the downing of a Russian warplane in Syria.
Moscow has also a ban in place against imports of fruit, vegetables, fish and dairy products from Europe, the US, Canada and Australia in retaliation.