Traders from the United Arab Emirates interested in importing agricultural products were expected on the island next week and they will be put in touch with Cypriot exporters, the minister told the Cyprus News Agency.

Kouyialis said the aim was to establish a broader co-operation, beyond the products affected by the Russian embargo.

The quantities of vegetables included in the ban were not large, the minister said. Mostly affected were Cypriot citrus products, especially mandora, a cross between mandarin and orange.

In 2013 Cypriot citrus exports to Russia reached €10.7 million. The total export volume was around €13.5 million in 2013, including citrus, fish, vegetables, dairy, and fruit.

Russia announced the import ban on EU food products earlier this month in response to the tightened EU sanctions implemented at the end of July against the country over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis.

Source: Cyprus Mail