The EU sanctions extension against Russia came into force on Tuesday and will remain until 31 January 2016. Russia was quick to react to the EU decision Monday with the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordering his chief of staff to ask President Putin for an extension of Russian counter-sanctions.

"Many other countries are willing to supply us flowers, and in this case our industry in the area will begin to slowly recover should there be an embargo. Also, there have been calls for a long time to import flowers from Latin America directly rather than from the Netherlands,” Rosselkhoznadzor’s Alekseenko said in a recently published interview.

As a transport hub, the Netherlands exports large quantities of flowers and flower products from Europe and Latin America to Russia. According to customs data, in 2014 Russia imported 14,700 tons of flower bulbs, roots and other flower products worth $38 million.

Imports of another 26,500 tons of other plants, such as cuttings, trees and shrubs were worth $58.3 million. Deliveries of cut flowers and flower buds for bouquets were even bigger, as last year Russia imported 30,700 tons valued at $225.4 million. 

Source: Macedonian International News Agency/HortiBiz