While several nations have import prohibitions on goods that have originated from Russia, Singapore’s sanctions are limited to fundraising activities that benefit the Russian government and exports from the city-state that could directly contribute to the war effort. There isn’t any prohibition against selling Russian groceries on the island and globally there are no sanctions on Russian exports of food.
Heavily discounted Russian-made goods, from hair products to chocolate, are finding their way onto Singapore’s virtual supermarket shelves even as many countries — and companies — shun doing business with the nation following its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
Visitors to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Singapore Lazada and Redmart sites can find several products originating from Russia, including 120 gram jars of salmon roe for $11 as well as 460 ml bottles of hair conditioner for $2.49. On other Singapore grocery sites, similarly sized jars of roe range between $15.90 to $44. On Shopee, a subsidiary of Sea Ltd., the online shelves are stocked with bargain made-in-Russia waffle cakes and hazelnut milk chocolates.
