<p>Russia is the largest importer of apples and pears in the world, according to the USDA. If US economic sanctions are levied against Russia, this may have a direct impact on US exporters.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">What is the scale of these exports? A recent report by the USDA provides numerical data about Russia's sizeable apple and pear markets.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Fresh%20Deciduous%20Fruit%20Annual_Moscow%20ATO_Russian%20Federation_12-2-2013.pdf" target="_new"> Click Here to View the Dec 2013 USDA Report on Apple and Pear Exports to Russia </a><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">In 2012, the US exported an estimated <b>16.1 million pounds</b> of apples to Russia.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Apples are the most popular fruit in Russia," the USDA report explains. "U.S. apples have a niche market in Russia as many consumers prefer the large and richly colored apples, which are characteristics that U.S. suppliers can normally provide. Importers and retailers appreciate two strong selling points of U.S. apples - long shelf life and consistent quality."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The US is also a significant exporter of fresh pears to Russia. In 2013, the US exported an estimated <b>15.6 million pounds</b> of pears to Russia.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Pears are one of the most popular fruits in Russia following apples, citrus, and bananas," the USDA report states. "Anjou and Red Anjou are the most popular varieties in Russia. Meanwhile, the Russian Far East with less completion and quicker logistics imports up to seven varieties of American pears."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Russia also imports significant quantities of fresh apples and pears from other countries including Poland, Moldova, China, Serbia, Italy, France, Azerbaijan, Chile, Argentina, and Belgium.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">In a public address, President Obama expressed his dissatisfaction with Russia's actions, saying, "As an initial step, I'm authorizing sanctions on Russian officials, entities operating in the arms industry in Russia and those providing material support to senior officials of the Russian government. And if Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><script height="360px" width="500px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=b171980b65ae4996bffea4da902c7846&ec=hwNGM4bDqXqzWbpRl85C6V0WcLeL4sRw" nitialTime="93"></script><p>So far, the Obama administration has issued sanctions against 11 Russian and Ukrainian officials, as a punishment for Russia's support of the Crimea Referendum, which it deems illegitimate, according to ABC News. The European Union has issued its own sanctions, against 21 people in Russia and Crimea, according to Reuters.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">While sanctions against individuals are not likely to threaten exportation to Russia, if more sweeping trade sanctions are made by the US, or if retaliatory sanctions are enacted by Russia, there could be an impact.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
