Iran has been gaining its position in Russia as an important exporter of sweet pepper

Last year, it supplied 48,300 tons. Moreover, the export value has grown up to 75,400 euro, comparing to 62,600 euro in 2016, in spite of a slight decrease of the volume (50,000 tons in 2016). For many years, Russia has remained by far the largest partner for Israel; thus, in terms of value, its share of global capsicum export has increased from 54% in 2016 to 72% in 2019.
China and Turkey are other large exporters of capsicum; and one more player appeared at Russian market whose presence is not to be ignored.

“Iran has become one of the most significant competitor of Israel in the European part of Russia,” says Elnur Mehdiev, purchase manager of Z&Y Company (St. Petersburg). “Iranian growers have improved quality of their pepper; they more flexible and offer better price.”
Besides, shipping from Israel is done through Black Sea, and the containers are often delayed due to weather condition; Iran, on the contrary, sends its produce by trucks thus making the delivery time faster and more predictable.

Z&Y, one of the largest Russian wholesale traders, has been importing fruit and vegetables since 1996. The company imports more than 200,000 of produce a year, cooperating with some 200 suppliers from all over the world. The company owns three cold stores in St. Petersburg and  three cold stores at Moscow’s Foodcity wholesale market.