Argentina Increases Exports of Seafood, Poultry, Milk to Russia: Official

BUENOS AIRES, December 25 (Sputnik) – Argentina has significantly increased its exports of seafood, poultry and dairy products to Russia in 2014, the country's trade representative to Argentina Sergei Derkach told RIA Novosti.

"The deliveries of certain kinds of goods have increased. For example, in 2013 [Argentina] exported to Russia fish and seafood worth $23 million, but already in the first nine months of 2014 it was $25 million," Derkach said.

During summer, Russia imposed a year-long ban on the import of a range of food products from western countries in response to economic sanctions imposed on Moscow. In light of the embargo, Russia began to consider increasing imports from Latin American countries.

Meat product exports from Argentina in the January-September period of 2013 and 2014 amounted to $124 million and $167 million respectively. According to Derkach, export volumes rocketed in the July-September period this year.

"In the end of November I visited an [Argentinian] company that processes poultry. This company left a very good impression: modern equipment, high levels of sanitation. According to the management, the company used to ship around 40 tons of the produce to Russia monthly, and in September and October the shipments rose to 500 tons a month," Derkach said. Chicken meat is not subject to export duties in Argentina.

According to the Russian trade representative, there has also been an increase in the turnover of dairy products. Moreover, the import of sugar and confectionery products increased from $0.5 million to $6.6 million.

The United States and other western countries have accused Russia of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs and imposed several rounds of sanctions against certain individuals, as well as the country's banking, energy and defense sectors. Russia has repeatedly denied the accusations.