Russian exports to Italy drop 16 percent as sanctions bite

(AGI) Rome, Sept 29 - In retaliation against internationalsanctions, Russia has combined a self-imposed ban on EU andU.S. food imports with fewer energy exports to Europe, Italianfarmers at Coldiretti said on Monday. Quoting nationalstatistics office figures, the association said Russian exportsto Italy fell 16 percent between January and August. With Italyheavily dependent on Russian gas supplies, much of the dropinvolved energy products. Italy, however, is a majoragro-industry exporter and Russia's Economic DevelopmentMinistry recently projected 12 to 13 percent food inflationthis year and next. .