Russian cheesemakers taste gold after EU sanctions

World
Europe

02:02

A Russian cheese festival has sold more than 40 tonnes of cheese, as Russians flock to find luxury dairy products after all European cheeses were banned from their country.

The European Union (EU) passed economic sanctions against Russia after it annexed Crimea in 2014, and in response, Russia banned all EU dairy products.

It means there has been a shortage of top cheeses for several years.

Buyers are hoping to taste top Russian brands after sanctions stopped competition. /CGTN Photo

But 45,000 people rushed to the Istra Cheese Festival over the weekend, desperate to get their hands on Russian-made replacements for the European market.

“It [Russian cheese] can compete now; we don't have to wait for the future, and I can compare our cheese to theirs, ” said one hungry customer.

Cheese farmer Jay Close said the sanctions had helped the local industry.

Jay Close, who has farmed in Russia for 20 years, says cheesemakers are on the rise. /CGTN Photo

"Six years ago there were maybe six cheesemakers in Russia, but there are hundreds now. And that’s over four years, " Close said. "The sanctions have helped people think they can make money over this. In fact, they can make money – not a lot. But with an extreme amount of hard work, you will see a lot of people make it or break it."

Russian cheesmakers celebrate the cheese boom. /CGTN Photo

150 years ago, Russia was a big exporter of fine cheeses, but the industry collapsed under the Soviet Union, and many people lost the expertise to make top brands.

Cheesemakers are hoping that EU sanctions will give them an opportunity to revive the industry.

But the sanctions have not been so good for consumers: Russian food prices have risen one and a half times since they came into effect.

(Cover: Russian-made cheeses sell fast at Istra Festival. /CGTN Photo)