Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Georgia has resumed deliveries of citrus to Russia after 7 years.

The country has already sent 2,000 tons of tangerines to Russia, and the active delivery of citrus to the Russian market will begin next week, Georgia's Food Agency reported.

Experts of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Rosselkhoznadzor arrived in Tbilisi on November 18 and, along with Georgian specialists, went to Adjara, where they observed the processes of establishing citrus export consignments.

It is assumed that up to 50,000 tons of tangerines will be delivered to Russia. Russian experts will also check the quality of kiwi, persimmon, and other fruits and vegetables which will be exported to the Russian Federation.

In a move widely condemned in Georgia, Russia banned imports of Georgian goods in 2006 citing the poor quality of the products.

After the change of government in Georgia, the new government started talks with Russia to get Georgian products back to the Russian market. After the negotiations, both sides stated that the embargo on the Georgian products could be lifted in spring. This process is in progress now.

In late October, 2013, Russia gave permission to eight more Georgian companies for registration of alcoholic beverages that will be delivered to Russia. Russian experts checked about 39 Georgian enterprises that produce alcoholic and mineral beverages during their visit to Georgia in September 2013.

According to the Russian Federal Service on Customers' Rights Protection and Human Well-being Surveillance (Rospotrebnadzor), Georgian producers have brought over 6 million liters of alcoholic beverages to the territory of Russia since June. Another 2-3 million liters is expected to be delivered by late 2013.