Belarus extends Western food embargo until year's end

MINSK. June 28 (Interfax) - The Belarusian government has extended its embargo on food from unfriendly countries, imposed at the beginning of 2022, until December 31, 2023, the government press service said on Wednesday.

"The ban on imports of certain types of agricultural products and food from unfriendly countries has been extended. The prime minister [Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko] signed the corresponding resolution," the press service said.

"In particular, this document envisages a further ban on apple imports from unfriendly countries," while making an exception for such products between July 1 and 31.

It also "bans imports of beer and low-alcohol drinks from Lithuania and Poland, in view of the sufficient level of production of similar beverages in the Republic of Belarus," it said.

"The ban has been extended until December 31, 2023," the press service said.

Belarus declared a six-month embargo on a broad range of Western foods on January 1, 2022. The ban has been repeatedly extended. The blacklist includes two dozen goods, including beef, pork, milk and dairy products (excluding specialized products made of lactose-free milk), fruit, nuts, sausage, confectionary goods and vegetables.

Belarus has designated EU member states, the United States, Canada, Albania, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Switzerland as unfriendly.