Far fewer Dutch fruit growers have taken advantage of a special fund to offset the cost of the boycott by Russia than expected, BNR radio said on Tuesday.

So far, €2m has been paid to apple and pear producers to compensate them for the lost Russian trade. But this is less than half the funds set aside for the compensation package, BNR reported.

Michiel Gerritsen, chairman of the Dutch fruit growers’ organisation, said the reason for the low take up rate is clear. ‘The compensation amounts to 15% of the cost price and growers are looking at other options,’ he said. ‘Even if this means their products are sold to industry to make ingredients for the bakery sector.’

There may be good intentions behind the fund but it has not helped struggling growers because the compensation rate is so low, he said.

The boycott has also led to growers developing other markets for their fruit. ‘Pears have been sold to China for the first time and we are in talks with other Asian and South American countries,’ Gerritsen said.