Russia is evaluating the possibility of using the embargo on European raw materials for sweets.
On August 31, the Ministry of Agriculture discussed the possibility of a complete ban on the use of vegetable fats from the EU, which are used in the production of sweets, writes “Kommersant”. According to the sources of the newspaper, in the event of a complete embargo, the production of confectionery products will be reduced by 250 thousand per year (6.2% of the Russian market).
The article says that margarine, spreads, special purpose fats, milk fat substitutes, cocoa butter equivalents can be under control. The Ministry of Agriculture, in particular, suggested that confectioners are different from other products that use foreign vegetable fats and mixtures. In addition, the ministry ordered the issuance of technical specifications for Russian enterprises, which, according to the company’s idea, should be implemented in production.
Fat and Oil Compound executive director Mikhail Maltsev told the newspaper that the possible ban would cover a wide range of consumption from the EU. According to him, about 1.4 million tons of products are already consumed in Russia. Confectioners interviewed by Kommersant believe that it is impossible to completely abandon foreign raw materials, because this will affect the food product.
In addition, as one of the interlocutors of the publication said, it will be difficult to find analogues of some products in Russia. This was also recognized at a meeting in the Ministry of Agriculture, Kommersant writes. According to the source, it was reported at the meeting that the embargo was closed for the closure of two Ferrero Russia production lines (Ferrero Rocher, Nutella brands). In turn, this limits the volume of output by 15 thousand tons per year.
There are also problems associated with a reduction in production by 100 thousand tons per year.
The Ministry of Agriculture allowed Kommersant that decisions to ban the consumption of fat and oil products are not used, while the issues of creating a large number of food products for domestic confectioners are being worked out. Such measures should be limited to imports and logistics, a guarantee in the department.
The source of Kommersant explained that the issue of the presence of plant diseases was for a quick recovery after the emergence of the Swedish AAK from Russia in the past, which amounted to 19.7 thousand tons of vegetables (63.14% of all oil and fat imports).