Against the backdrop of the Russian import ban on foods from EU-member countries as well as other recent developments in the world, the 2014 Agrokomplex international agriculture and food fair opened in Nitra on Thursday.
Following the introduction of the food ban by Russia in early August, farmers and food producers have been deeply concerned about the European market becoming flooded with food products that would otherwise have been designated for export and about the related complications. “Despite the fact that the export of agricultural products and foodstuffs to Russia isn’t crucial from Slovakia’s point of view, some companies may encounter problems,” said Prime Minister Robert Fico when delivering the opening speech, adding that a number of agricultural companies have already reported problems arising from the sanctions to him. Fico went on to say that what he views as a threat now is excessive influxes of foodstuffs and subsequent price destabilisation that could ruin relations between suppliers and customers, and entail speculative transactions and other risks emerging from sales of low-quality food. “The Government has approved principal measures aimed at boosting official checks on each part of the food chain so that we can minimise any negative economic impacts on Slovak farmers and food producers. We'll demand compensation for the loss of export markets and/or falls in prices due to excessive levels of foodstuffs on the European market,” said the premier.
