Ukraine confectionary firm reports ongoing Russia ban on its products

Roshen, among Ukraine’s top confectionary producers,
said on August 28 that it has yet to receive an official notice from the
Russian government explaining the reason its goods have been banned since late
July. “The situation hasn’t changed yet, deliveries aren’t being made from
Ukraine,” said company press secretary Iryna Petrenko, as reported by the RIA
Novosti news wire. Roshen had previously estimated potential losses at $125
million. Russian Consumer Oversight Director Gennady Onishchenko stated on July
28 that Roshen products were found to contain a harmful chemical, prompting his
state organ to stop all deliveries until inspections were conducted of its
factories.
Zenon Zawada: Roshen was among the first companies
targeted by the Russian government in its trade conflict with Ukraine, partly
because its owner, Petro Poroshenko, has been among the biggest supporters of
Ukraine signing the Association Agreement. Yesterday’s statement confirms that
the trade conflict has only begun, and offers further evidence that discredits
that August 20 statement offered by the Revenue and Fees ministry that customs
inspections have returned to standard procedure on the Russian-Ukrainian
border. The nation’s confectionary producers association reported on August 27
ongoing customs delays with certain exports.
The situation with Roshen also confirms the
criticism offered by EU MP and EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
Chair Pawel Kowal that “Russia is a large but unreliable market subject to
politics.” Indeed, the more Russia escalates its trade conflict, the more
arguments arise for the Ukrainian government to sign the Association Agreement
with the EU.