Exports of Cuban fish and seafood to Russia could mean ‘bolshoi biznes’

The Russian media are reporting ecstatically that Cuba could soon export to Russia large quantities of seafood, with an emphasis on lobster and shrimp.

Rosselkhoznadzor, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight, announced Wednesday (June 10) that it was negotiating with Havana the possibility of buying Cuban seafood. Not only that, the agency, an adjunct to the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that it would contact members of the EurAsian Economic Community (EAEC) and extend the offer to them.

In addition to Russia, the EAEC’s member states are Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Fish and seafood export deals with any or all of those countries could mean a massive volume of business for Cuba.

Russia has been actively looking for partners in the field of food trade since August of last year, when the United States, Canada, the European Union, Norway and Australia halted the export to Russia of many food products.

For background in Progreso Weekly, click here and here and here.

Following is a translation by Progreso Weekly of the Russian food agency announcement:

“A meeting between Rosselkhoznadzor and the minister-counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in the Russian Federation, Rolando León Zayas Bu, took place on 10 June and was devoted to a discussion of topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of veterinary supervision.

“Zayas Bu [the Embassy’s chief of economic affairs] expressed Cuba’s interest in developing a bilateral, strategically important partnership that could soon be translated into an early delivery of seafood supplies to Russia and member countries of the EAEC.

“At first, these goods could be Cuban lobster and shrimp, but the range of marine products supplied may be extended by mutual agreement.

In this regard, the Embassy counselor thanked Rosselkhoznadzor for the steps taken toward providing access rights for Cuban goods to enter the Russian market.

“In particular, in the near future, the Cuban side will prepare and send to Rosselkhoznadzor specific information about [Cuban] companies that wish to send their products to Russia, and other necessary data for risk assessment.

“In turn, Rosselkhoznadzor expressed its readiness to initiate — after receiving relevant information — the review process by member states of the EAEC so they may grant access rights to Cuban exporters upon assurances of further inspection.

“The sides came to an understanding on the need to continue the development of constructive interaction through veterinary supervision between Rosselkhoznadzor and the competent authorities in the matter of the admission of Cuba to the markets of Russia, specifically fish and seafood, and products of animal origin.

“During the talks, the sides also discussed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Russia and Cuba that could be a good basis for the development of bilateral trade, once all the safety requirements of products from both countries are met.”