Prince Edward Island potato exports hit by Russian Sanctions

Tensions between Russia and Canada are having an impact on P.E.I. potato exports.

An embargo Russia put in place after Canada issued sanctions over the country's military actions in the Ukraine has meant no Island potatoes have been shipped to Russia this year.

"Back in 2010-11, we shipped somewhere between five and six million dollars worth of table stock to Russia from Prince Edward Island. Last year, in 2013-14, it was more like two to three million dollars," said Brenda Simmons, acting general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board.

"So it's one that we're certainly happy to be able to ship into when that opportunity is there, and this year the opportunity wasn't available to us at all."

Russia is one of P.E.I.'s biggest international customers, accounting for 12 to 20 per cent of potatoes shipped outside of North America. Simmons believes if the sanctions continue, Island potato farmers might reduce their acreage slightly.