Import substitution for planting material and fruit and berry products

Abstract

In this article, we assess the demand for and volumes of imported planting material in the Russian Federation. Changes in the composition of exporting countries supplying planting material and fruits to Russia have been revealed, including a shift from the import of saplings to the import of rootstocks and cuttings. In 2022 and 2024, the share of imported planting material amounted to 61 and 64.2 %, respectively. In 2022, according to consolidated financial statements, 39 % of the planting material used for orchard establishment was domestically produced. Businesses recognize the advantages and disadvantages of importing planting material; however, they have not abandoned this practice. Imports of fruits and berries were characterized by a decline in volumes by 2015 and a slight increase by 2024, alongside a steady decrease in volumes for commodity group 0808 (“Apples, pears, and quinces, fresh”). The increase in the production of fruits and berries is driven by the implementation of investment projects in this industrial sector, government support for the development of horticulture, and the introduction of an embargo on the import of foreign fruits and berries.