The effectiveness of Russian import sanction on the international apple trade: Network theory approach

In August 2014, the Russian Federation imposed counter-sanctions against Western countries imposing restrictions against Russia following its aggression against Ukraine. It is worth examining to what extent the counter-sanctions have transformed the trade network between the countries. This study aims to show the impact of this embargo on apple import on the global trade network due to the Russian response to the Western countries’ measures in 2014. We chose the methodology of network research to examine the changes in trade networks. We analyzed the apple trade network because this was one of the significant fields impacted by the trade restrictions and panic reactions from EU producers imposed on the sanction. This research shows that Russian import was also impacted negatively, but some third countries are quickly becoming the winners of the restrictions. Serbia and Azerbaijan were the clear winners of the sanctions. The research results show that network research methodology is suitable for examining the sanctions’ effects.