Russia Calls On ASEAN To Boost Food Exports

Russian Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev

Russia has urged 10 Asian countries to boost their agricultural exports to Russia amid a Kremlin ban on products from many Western countries.

Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev made his call at a meeting of Russian and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) officials in Naypyidaw, Burma (aka Myanmar) on August 28.

Ulyukayev praised the "high quality" of agricultural products from ASEAN countries and said Russia welcomes greater imports of seafood, nuts, beef, pork, chicken, fruits, and vegetables.

Russia announced a ban on August 7 of nearly all meat, fish, dairy, fruit, and vegetables from the United States, the EU, Canada, Australia, and Norway for one year in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russia over its actions in eastern Ukraine.

ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and RIA Novosti