Trade opportunity for SA food exporters?

An increase in South African food and agricultural exports to Russia was high on the agenda when President Jacob Zuma met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow last week. The imposition of a food import ban on meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway in response to western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis has opened the door to increased trade from South Africa. Trade between the two countries grew by 13% year on year in 2013, and the ongoing growth is largely attributed to the establishment of the Russia-South Africa Business Council. CAPTION Talking trade … President Jacob Zuma with President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow last week. Photo: GCIS