Russia ‘may partially resume tomato imports from Turkey in October’

MOSCOW

Russia’s Agriculture Ministry and Russia’s agriculture safety watchdog are considering partially resuming tomato imports from Turkey in October until April or May next year, the Kommersant daily reported on Sept. 11. 

Kommersant cited the manager of a large vegetable producer in Russia and several representatives of the industry’s lobby group saying supplies could start from several Turkish firms approved by Russia’s watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.

The supplies may start in October and continue until April or May, 2018, according to sources cited by the Russian newspaper. 

According to estimates of market participants, Turkey may supply between 100,000 tons and 300,000 tons of tomatoes to Russia until next summer, Kommersant reported.

On June 2, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree lifting the ban on some agricultural produce and Turkish companies involved in construction, engineering and tourism in the aftermath of the downing of a Russian fighter jet in 2015. 

Following the lifting of the sanctions, only two restrictions are left for Ankara: The issue of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and tomatoes.