RECORD EXPORT OF APPLES AND PEARS CONFIRMS SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA

SARAJEVO, JULY 31 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers, Staša Košarac, confirmed that the export of the approved quantities of apples and pears to the Russian market has been almost completely realized, assessing this as an exceptionally successful result and a confirmation of high-quality cooperation with Russian partners.

"The fact that almost all approved quantities were exported in record time shows that there is a high demand for fruit from Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH on the Russian market, but also that our producers meet the highest phytosanitary standards. This is the best confirmation that we have done a good job together with the competent institutions," stated Košarac.

He reminded that in April of this year, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, following guarantees and information submitted by the BiH Administration for Plant Health Protection regarding the implemented measures to harmonize with international and Russian phytosanitary requirements, approved the continuation of apple and pear exports from the 2025 harvest.

The approval applied to the companies "Bioplod" from Kozarska Dubica, "Frut eko" from Gradiška, and "Agroimeks nova" from Banja Luka, which were permitted to export a total quantity of almost 5,000 tons of apples and pears, according to the press release from the relevant ministry.

"Given that the approved quantities are nearly depleted, we have informed the Russian side that we are interested in continuing the export and that we are ready to facilitate the inspection of export facilities, in accordance with their procedures. Our goal is to ensure the continuous placement of domestic products on the large Russian market and to further improve foreign trade cooperation," emphasized Košarac.

He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, in cooperation with the BiH Administration for Plant Health Protection and other competent institutions, continues its activities on opening and preserving foreign markets for domestic agricultural products, with the aim of strengthening exports and providing support to domestic producers.