Russia Bans Import of Agricultural Products from Abkhazia

Import of agricultural products from Abkhazia to Russia has been suspended, Russian news agency Interfax reports quoting an unnamed source at the Southern Federal District of Russia.

According to the source, imports were ceased at 15:00 on December 1 “due to sanitary concerns.” The source also noted that otherwise the border checkpoint remains open.

Exports of agricultural products, mainly tangerines and oranges, represent the foundation of the current Abkhaz economy and livelihood of most local inhabitants.

Russia’s banning of the Abkhaz agricultural goods is being viewed in the context of mounting Russian pressure to prevent the accession of opposition presidential candidate Segey Bagapsh to the position of President of Abkhazia.

The inauguration of Bagapsh, who is backed by the Abkhazia parliament, is scheduled for December 6.

Bagapsh said earlier that in the event that Abkhaz products would be prevented from entering the Russian markets, alternative routes would be found. Many observers took this to mean a resumption of trade with Georgia.