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Russian cheese lovers find creative ways around Putin's British import ban
Nearly two years into Russia's retaliatory ban on imported Western foods, cheese lovers have found increasingly clever ways to get their hands on forbidden English Cheddar and French Camembert, from coded classified ads to backroom deals with restaurant owners.
Well-heeled Muscovites say it is not that difficult to find forbidden products if you are willing to pay a higher price – and most high-end restaurants are willing to make “unofficial” deals for eager customers.
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Last August, Russia's Interior Ministry announced that an elaborate sting operation had brought down six people engaged in the illegal cheese trade.
The suspects were described as members of an “international organised criminal group” rather than simple cheese aficionados.
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"Tatiana, 36, a manager at an international company in Moscow and a customer of Chill & Cheese, says Russian cheese tastes of "modeling clay" and she prefers cheese from abroad.
“I buy it because it tastes of cheese, not fat. Most of the Russian cheese I’ve tried does not taste like cheese," she said.
Customers also include many government officials, bankers and top managers, he said, and orders average around 80-100 euros, with about five orders each day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the country's food ban as a way to prop up domestic manufacturers, many of whom had previously struggled to provide a competitive advantage over European producers."
Nearly two years into Russia's retaliatory ban on imported Western foods, cheese lovers have found increasingly clever ways to get their hands on forbidden English Cheddar and French Camembert, from coded classified ads to backroom deals with restaurant owners.
Well-heeled Muscovites say it is not that difficult to find forbidden products if you are willing to pay a higher price – and most high-end restaurants are willing to make “unofficial” deals for eager customers.
..........
Last August, Russia's Interior Ministry announced that an elaborate sting operation had brought down six people engaged in the illegal cheese trade.
The suspects were described as members of an “international organised criminal group” rather than simple cheese aficionados.
......
"Tatiana, 36, a manager at an international company in Moscow and a customer of Chill & Cheese, says Russian cheese tastes of "modeling clay" and she prefers cheese from abroad.
“I buy it because it tastes of cheese, not fat. Most of the Russian cheese I’ve tried does not taste like cheese," she said.
Customers also include many government officials, bankers and top managers, he said, and orders average around 80-100 euros, with about five orders each day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the country's food ban as a way to prop up domestic manufacturers, many of whom had previously struggled to provide a competitive advantage over European producers."