Abkhazia can help the Russian Federation to solve the problem of food import substitution, said acting Deputy Prime Minister of Abkhazia Beslan Butba at the meeting with the head of the Nizhny Novgorod region Valery Shantsev, in the framework of the III International business summit.

"Russia faces the problem of food import substitution, and we have what to offer", said the Abkhazian politician.

Shantsev agreed that the supply of food from Abkhazia are a promising direction for Russia in terms of sanctions.

Beslan Butba noted that Abkhazia is interested in deepening relations with Russian regions, and also noted that the country's new leadership plans to create a national development programme for 15-20 years, an important place must be given to the cooperation with the Russian side.

In 2012 the trade turnover between the Nizhny Novgorod region and the Republic of Abkhazia exceeded $2.5 million, which is 71% more than in 2011.

Not so long ago portal Agro2b.ru reportedthat Russia will facilitate the transportation of agricultural products from Abkhazia to Russia. Under the new rules, the Russian customs officers will check and place the goods at the checkpoint of agricultural products directly in Abkhazia. From October to December last year, Russia imported 46 thousand tons Abkhazian agricultural products. In the first quarter of 2014 from only transported through the Sochi customs trade Abkhazian goods amounted to 12%.

According to "Rossiyskaya Gazeta", every year the Republic of Abkhazia produces about 38 thousand tons of mandarins, planning to increase yield up to 80 thousand tons For exports account for a large part of produced fruits. Currently, the country is working on the restoration of plantations, the development of new varieties in the near future - the development of fruit processing. Last year through the customs post MAPP Adler daily was formed about one hundred tons Abkhazian citrus. Last year Russia exported citrus also from Georgia, Turkey, Morocco and Spain.