[LINK] "Sanctions? What sanctions? Russians are shopping for food in Narva"

[rfmcdonald]

Estonia's Delfi reports that Russian shoppers are flocking to the Estonian border city of Narva in the search for foodstuffs unavailable in Russia following the imposition of sanctions.

The decision by Russia to ban the import of many Western foods in retaliation for sanctions over Ukraine in August has sent the grocery prices in the country soaring and greatly worsened inflation. Eesti Päevaleht reports that the Estonian border town Narva is experiencing a massive influx of daily shoppers from Russia, who are after cheaper food.

It used to be the other way round. Inhabitants of Narva - situated by the Estonia-Russia border - going to shop for vodka and cigarettes in Russia. Since the Russian embargo on many Western foods, most notably dairy products, the traffic has reversed – daily shoppers from across the border are carrying bags full of Estonian milk and sausages to Russia.

"Look, they are reporting about hungry Russians again," a local resident joked when Eesti Päevaleht’s journalists approached a supermarket in Narva.

Jokes aside, things have gone sour for many people on the other side of the border. Over the weekend, the four large supermarkets in Narva are full of queues. Tax-free shopping is not anymore the main reason for Russians to travel here. People come for foods that they can now only dream about in Russia. And it is cheaper.

The bags are full of cheese, sausages, sour cream. The Russian embargo on imported Western foods applies for large quantities, not for personal shopping. However, the Russians who have taken a trip to Narva, are not eager to admit that they are here for basic commodities, and tried to put on a brave face when questioned by Eesti Päevaleht.