Russia has reduced the value added tax rate (VAT) for the import of fresh fruits and berries from Uzbekistan, the MFA said.

The rate has been reduced from the current 20 percent to 10 percent.

According to the government decree of the Russian Federation, changes are made to the list of food products subject to VAT at a rate of 10%. In particular, the list of food products imported into Russia that are subject to preferential VAT has been expanded.

The export of such fresh fruits as watermelons, melons, grapes, figs, apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries, peaches (including nectarines), plums and lemons will now be subject to VAT at a rate of 10 percent instead of the previous 20.

However, the changes do not affect dried fruit and vegetable products. For this category of goods, the VAT rate remained at the level of 20 percent.

Changes to Russian legislation create an opportunity to increase the supply of fresh fruits and berries from Uzbekistan directly to the Russian market, the press service said.