MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti) — Russia's ban on food imports from the European Union, introduced in response to the Western sanctions, has quintupled the export of cheese to the country from Switzerland, Schweiz am Sonntag reported Sunday.
According to the newspaper, in September 2013 Swiss manufacturers supplied Russia with 28 tons of cheese, in September 2014 — with 160 tons.
Intercheese company told the newspaper that the greatest demand is for cheeses of the low price segment. However, manufacturers are worried that after the removal of the Russian embargo, this market will be taken over by companies from the EU, and therefore Swiss manufacturers tend to occupy the niche of gourmet cheeses.
Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated following Crimea’s reunification with Russia in March. The European Union and the United States have implemented several rounds of sanctions against Russia over its alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict.
Moscow denied any involvement in the Ukrainian crisis, branding the sanctions as illegal and introduced a one-year ban on certain food product imports from the countries that imposed the restrictions.
