Many in the West, thanks
to endless MSM propaganda stretching back decades, earnestly believe
that Russia and Russians are a half starved and poverty ridden.
This was of course true in the 90s, but not from lack of products but
from lack of money.
Those stereotypes, of course, need severe updating. Through the restoration of the 2000s and 2010s salaries grew quickly and were paid. Variety of products also grew. Imports made up about 16%. Often the imports made little sense, such as polish apples when Russia grows incredible volumes of apples. Often it was due to the bribes being paid by foreign companies.
After the start of the New Cold War and the Russian counter sanctions , which in turn crushed many of these European exporters, the western press and the liberal voice in Russia started screaming that Russia was going to starve by Oct 2014... 2015....2016....oh never mind. Needless to say they were not only disappointed by the lack of starvation but also shocked when the Russian agriculture sector grew 16% in 2014 alone and Russia quickly rose to become their biggest competitor on a host of goods.
Those stereotypes, of course, need severe updating. Through the restoration of the 2000s and 2010s salaries grew quickly and were paid. Variety of products also grew. Imports made up about 16%. Often the imports made little sense, such as polish apples when Russia grows incredible volumes of apples. Often it was due to the bribes being paid by foreign companies.
After the start of the New Cold War and the Russian counter sanctions , which in turn crushed many of these European exporters, the western press and the liberal voice in Russia started screaming that Russia was going to starve by Oct 2014... 2015....2016....oh never mind. Needless to say they were not only disappointed by the lack of starvation but also shocked when the Russian agriculture sector grew 16% in 2014 alone and Russia quickly rose to become their biggest competitor on a host of goods.
Russia is the world's biggest exporter of wheat, but also in the top exporters of rice, barely, oats, pork, chicken and now many processed foods.
Russian manufacturers took up the challenge and closed those gaps created when the imports were heavily curtailed. Sure, the first years quality was often questionable, but competition and the tightening of laws have pulled up quality greatly. Banning of GMOs and the forced ouster of vegetable oils from dairy products, found most profoundly in the Western brands manufactured in Russia, has also gone a long way.
There are countless small grocery chains in Russia and 5 major ones on the order of Super Walmarts: Ashan, Okey, Lenta, Metro, Globas. These are not stores only found in Moscow? as the masters of propaganda would have you believe, but in all cities.
As my personal experience has shown, it is pointless to explain with words these things to foreigners, as the indoctrination is to strong. To explain to my western audience, especially Americans, that Russians have 3-4 times as many choices as they do, is beyond the psychological comprehension of many. As such, I provide you with pictures.
The pictures below are from Okey and show only a few lanes: meat products (processed), cheeses, yogurts and yogurt drinks. Enjoy.
Russian manufacturers took up the challenge and closed those gaps created when the imports were heavily curtailed. Sure, the first years quality was often questionable, but competition and the tightening of laws have pulled up quality greatly. Banning of GMOs and the forced ouster of vegetable oils from dairy products, found most profoundly in the Western brands manufactured in Russia, has also gone a long way.
There are countless small grocery chains in Russia and 5 major ones on the order of Super Walmarts: Ashan, Okey, Lenta, Metro, Globas. These are not stores only found in Moscow? as the masters of propaganda would have you believe, but in all cities.
As my personal experience has shown, it is pointless to explain with words these things to foreigners, as the indoctrination is to strong. To explain to my western audience, especially Americans, that Russians have 3-4 times as many choices as they do, is beyond the psychological comprehension of many. As such, I provide you with pictures.
The pictures below are from Okey and show only a few lanes: meat products (processed), cheeses, yogurts and yogurt drinks. Enjoy.
Cheese isles:
More Cheese:
Yogurts and yogurt drinks:
Real bread, baked on site daily for 1 Euro or $1.30.
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий