Only nine Lithuanian producers took advantage of the EU support measure approved in September for fruit and vegetable growers who have incurred losses due to the embargo by Russia. They have donated 2,340 tonnes of produce to the Food Bank (Maisto Bankas) charity. According to the director, the Food Bank's capacity to accept farmers' produce has been fully exhausted. Meanwhile other organisations either do not accept goods or ask for too insignificant amounts.
"Producers even call hospitals and prisons but they have their own public procurement contracts and amounts. Minor recipients of aid only ask for a half a tonne of goods, while the logistics of major farms is not adjusted for such small amounts," Cironkiene told ELTA news agency.
The director said, that so far the government only promised assistance in finding new markets, thus, most growers still export their goods to Russia.
According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rolandas Krisciunas, none of the 27 potential new markets is interested solely in Lithuania's agricultural products. Moreover, in most of these countries Lithuania does not have its representation offices. Therefore, speedy market diversification should not be anticipated.
The deputy minister said that producers should not only raise demands but cooperate closer with institutions themselves, especially with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy. Krisciunas added that inclusion of agricultural specialists in the Economic Diplomacy Council could improve representation of the agricultural sector.
