AUTHENTICATIONFruit Importers in Vladivostok Eager to Cooperate More with Ph
Left photo: Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta speaks with Mr. Mikhail Chikurov, CEO of LLC Matao, an importation and logistics company based in Vladivostok, Russia. Right photo: Ambassador Sorreta presents Mr. Chikurov and his colleague, LLC Matao’s Head of Logistics Mr. Pavel Melezhik, with some samples of Philippine snack foods, dried mango in chocolate coating and dried coconut flakes. Photos by S. Pamocol
09 August 2017 — Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta received the Chief Executive Officer of LLC Matao, Mr. Mikhail Chikurov, at the Philippine Embassy on 04 August 2017. Mr. Chikurov, together with his colleague Mr. Melezhik, were in Moscow briefly for business. LLC Matao deals in logistics and the bulk importation and trade of fruits and vegetables. The Vladivostok-based company takes up 20% share of the trade in imported fruits in the Russian Far East.
Mr. Chikurov spoke at length of his prior cooperation with the Philippines, primarily in the importation of fresh bananas from 2008 to 2013. He stated that the demand for fresh tropical fruits is increasing in the Russian market by 30% as compared to marked decline in demand for fruits from temperate climes such as apples, pears, and grapes.
He further explained that the attractiveness of Vladivostok to exporters may have been less compared to other regions where tropical fruits especially bananas are sold in great volumes for higher prices, what with Vladivostok having only a population of some 7 million or a little less than 5% of the total population of the Russian Federation. However, he assured the Ambassador that the market is definitely growing and worth the investment.
Ambassador Sorreta and Mr. Chikurov discussed in great length the history of the company’s cooperation with the Philippines and how new doors of partnership can be opened. They also shared information and insights on trade routes, from Davao and Manila to Vladivostok and Moscow, and concrete logistics planning.
Ambassador Sorreta and Mr. Chikurov agreed to keep in close contact to share as Mr. Chikurov looks forward to discussing mutual interests with Philippine enterprises.
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph. END
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