No problem in Turkey’s tomato exports to Iraq: Ministry

ANKARA

The Turkish Economy Ministry has said Iraq’s decision to ban tomato imports is “seasonal and routine” and will not have any negative impact specifically on Turkey’s tomato exports to the country. 

Iraq announced that it would ban tomato imports from Turkey as of May 21 to protect its own producers. 
In a statement late on May 22, the Turkish ministry said Iraq imposes a similar ban every May on all countries regarding its tomato imports. 

“This routine and seasonal application is not creating any limitation or restriction on our tomato exports to Iraq on a year-long basis,” read the statement. 

The mentioned ban is abolished every year when the local tomato production season ends, it added. 

The share of Iraqi market in Turkey’s tomato exports rose to 18 percent with a $32.4 million volume in 2016 from around 6 percent with $11 million in 2015, added the ministry.