Portugal’s poorest families are reaping rewards from the embargo on European exports to Russia.
As we reported last month, the trade ban – prompted by Russia’s military action in the Ukraine – is expected to cost Portugal as much as €15 million, but there is a sugar-coating: all produce unsold as a result of it will be donated to social-support institutions.
Immediately, this translates into around 2,900 tons of fruit and veg.
Talking this week in Brussels, secretary of state for Agriculture Diogo Albuquerque revealed that Portugal is the only member state that has opted to hand-over unsold produce to people in need.
Other countries have gone for destruction of food surpluses, or simply leaving fruit and vegetables to rot, he told Público.
Another advantage of Portugal’s stance is that it will now qualify for more EC benefits, to help make-up the export shortfall.
“We are trying to find other markets,” he added – while Brussels is trying to “avoid a surplus of products on the European market and a consequent abrupt fall in prices”.
Meantime, Agriculture Minister Assunção Cristas has been called by the Socialist Opposition to talk more on the possible impact of the embargo.
Socialist fears centre on what strategy the government will adopt if prices actually do fall in various sectors. The trade embargo currently covers fish, meat and dairy products, as well as fruit and veg. Olive oil, cereals, spirits and wine are excluded.
