Estonian PM: Consumer has the right to know strawberries' origin

  • 2019-07-11
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN – Commenting on allegations by some media that strawberries grown in other countries are being sold on markets in Estonia as strawberries from Estonian farms, Prime Minister Juri Ratas said at the government's press conference on Thursday that consumers must be informed about where the berries they are buying come from. 

Rural weekly Maaleht reported on Wednesday that in accordance with one widespread scheme, strawberries are brought to Estonia from Riga at night to be sold on markets in Estonia as locally grown produce. 

Minister of Rural Affairs Mart Jarvik said that following the revelation, the Veterinary and Food Authority dispatched additional inspectors to markets. 

Jarvik added that the fines faced by the violators are high and in the end the scheming is not worth the one or 1.5 euros per kilogram of berries that sellers can expect to earn through fraud.