Dutch and Russian trade had been running at record levels prior to the downing of Malaysian Airliner MH17 over the Ukraine last year that contained 173 Dutch passengers. 

Russia has since banned the import of many European food products in response to Western led sanctions over the annexation of Crimea. As a result of the airline crash, relations between Russia and the Netherlands especially, are running at all time lows.

Latest data has shown that exports from the Netherlands to Russia have fallen 40% using data from the first four months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. In the period, €1.26 billion of goods were exported to the Netherlands compared to €2.05 billion last year.

The export of agricultural machinery is rising from the Netherlands, displaying Russia’s import substitution in food products is well in progress.

Dutch Flower Ban

Now it has emerged that Russia’s regulator, Rosselkhoznadzor is considering the banning of flowers from the Netherlands. The news emerged on Monday where the organisation is said to fear the presence of organisms in the plants, that may cause harm to the Russian flower industry.

It is not uncommon for Rosselkhoznadzor to make moves that appear politically motivated. Earlier in the year, the food safety watchdog closed Moscow’s flagship McDonalds outlet, citing food safety breaching. It has since reopened.