Finnish Farmers' Incomes Falling Due to Low Milk Prices, Russian Food Ban

MURMANSK (Sputnik) — Finnish farmers' financial position remains difficult and could deteriorate further in the future due to decreasing milk prices, delays in subsidy payments and the Russian food embargo, the Yle broadcaster said, citing the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK).

Basic incomes among Finnish farmers fell from 16,900 euros ($18,600) in 2014 to 9,700 euros in 2015, according to the MTK. The organization's chairman, Juha Marttila, said that reversal of this trend has not yet been perceived, as cited by the broadcaster.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union, including Finland, deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions over Crimea's secession from Ukraine, accusing Moscow of meddling in the Ukrainian conflict.

In August 2014, in response to the Western restrictive measures, Moscow announced a one-year food embargo on products originating in states that imposed sanctions against it. The ban has since been prolonged.