Russia is again open for agricultural products from Georgia. Georgian honey is going to be the first to appear on the Russian market. All the bans on imports from this country have been lifted, and, according to head of the National Food Agency Zurab Chekurishvili, the shipments will start immediately after the May holidays. As Georgia Online news agency reports, the first bulk of honey has already been prepared for exporting. Honey will be followed by seasonal fruits and vegetables; starting from autumn, Russia will be supplied with citrus fruits from Georgia. What is more, the legendary mineral water Borjomi from springs in the Borjomi Gorge of central Georgia will be back to quench the thirst of its yearning admirers. Famed Borjomi has been accredited as compliant with all the sanitary standards and is just about to return to Russia. The Russian government is also interested in regular shipments of hazelnuts and fresh herbs from Georgia.
In addition, imports of Georgian wine to Russia will resume. Levan Davitashvili, head of National Wine Agency, said that the winery companies are expecting excise stamps from Russia by the end of May, thereafter these companies will start exporting the products. Dugladze Wine House is to become the first to reemerge on the Russian market.
In 2006, the Chief Sanitary Inspector of Russia Gennadiy Onishchenko imposed a ban on agricultural production from Georgia reportedly because it was found not to live up to the health safety standards. Georgia's government in its turn explained the ban by a clash of interests between the two countries. Later however, Onishchenko announced that the quality of Georgian wines improved, and so they are likely to re-enter the Russian market in 2013.
