RIGA, October 8 (RIA Novosti) - Latvian pig industry is currently in a critical situation because of Russia's food embargo, the head of the Latvian council for the cooperation of agricultural organizations Edgars Treibergs said.
"Although the Latvian export of pork to Russia is insignificant, farmers are feeling the effects of the embargo, because the ban intensified competition in the domestic market of Europe, causing a significant drop in pork prices in Latvia and in the markets of neighboring countries," DELFI Internet portal said, citing Treibergs.
In the end of July pigs were purchased at the price of 1.21 euros [$1.52] per kilogram, while in the first week of October, the price dropped to 1 euro [$1.26], i.e. by 17 percent, Treibergs said.
Russia has imposed a one-year ban on food imports from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway in response to economic sanctions that western countries have introduced against Moscow, blaming it for meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs – claims that Russia has repeatedly denied.
The food ban targets meat, fish, poultry and milk products, as well as nuts, fruits and vegetables.
