OREANDA-NEWS. April 22, 2009. The Russian government has supported domestic milk producers and doubled import duty on tropical oils to 10%. The new rate of import duties on certain oils supplied in bulk becomes effective as of June 1, 2009, according to information posted on the government’s website.

Palm, palm seed and coconut oil in cans and containers over 200 kg are subject to the new rate. This measure was supported by Russian milk producers which addressed Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in late March requesting that oil import quotas be imposed or import duties hiked to the prohibitive level. According to the Russian Dairy Union, tropical oils are commonly used in the food industry as an alternative to Russian dairy fats and this hinders development of the dairy market.