International sanctions weigh heavily on Italy-Russia trade

(ANSA) - Rome, May 16 - Russian imports fell by 25.4% and Italian exports to Russia fell by 13.9% due to international sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in March, Coldiretti farmers' association said Friday.
    New data from Istat national statistics bureau shows both imports and exports fell in 2014 after steady growth in the three previous years, Coldiretti said.
    The data showed a negative trade balance of 1.9 billion euros in the first quarter of 2014, down from 9.3 billion euros in 2013. Trading losses affected imports and exports of minerals, mechanical goods, wine, fruits and vegetables, meat, and pasta, according to Coldiretti.