Exports to Belarus have stopped due to the import boycott. In the past year, GAAST, a young Dutch company, has relied mainly on other Eastern European customers, especially wholesalers in Ukraine and Moldova. Despite the political turmoil, exports continue to go well, says Sergey Geraskin. He has worked in the Dutch fruit and vegetable export sector for many years. "It hasn't affected our trade at all yet. The only visible impact is on the Ukrainian hrivna's exchange rate, which fluctuates about three percent."
"Our clients keep ordering and paying. Trade's still running smoothly, and we're sending plenty of mixed loads. The same goes for our colleagues. The roads are full of Ukrainian trucks," says Sergey, who with his son Anton started GAAST in the summer of 2020. "We deliver a broad package, ranging from Dutch vegetables to exotics. For example, we sell Costa Rican pineapples to our customers in Ukraine."
"Of course, we discuss the situation with our clients. You want to know if your goods or the payment could be at risk. But that's not an issue for now, and I'm sure this will remain the case. There's no single reason for Russia to attack that country. No one has an answer if you ask them. Even President Zelensky of Ukraine and the Secretary of their Security and Defense Council [Oleksiy] Danilov say they see no signs of attack. We're, therefore, confident we can continue to supply our buyers in Ukraine and Moldova with our mixed cargoes," Sergey concludes.
For more information:
Sergey Geraskin
GAAST BV
35 Handelsweg
2988 DB, Ridderkerk, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 180 447 220
Mob: +31 (0) 655 138 744
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gaastbv.nl