The Ministry of Agriculture is working on the possibility of a complete ban on the import of vegetable fats for confectionery production from EU countries. Such a measure could be a counter-sanction in response to the actions of unfriendly countries.
According to Kommersant, up to 6.2% of annual production may be at risk. In particular, major players will face serious problems, including Ferrero and United Confectioners, which produce Alenka and Vdohnovenie chocolates.
Bans may include margarine, spreads, specialty fats, and milk fat substitutes and cocoa butter equivalents.
The publication notes that at the moment there are no decisions on a possible ban. Nevertheless, there are discussions about the possibility of replacing imported raw materials with local ones. But, according to market participants, such a transition will take about three years.