Following the restrictions imposed by the Russian authorities on food imports from the USA and EU, Russian importers changing their sources and rushed to Turkey. The first delegation is expected soon.
Mehmet Buyukeksi, president of TIM, assembly of Turkish Exporters, said that demand for food imports began to increase after the Russian restrictions on food imports from the USA and EU. He said, “In this context, a delegation from Russia is expected to arrive next week. We work in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture to meet their needs from Turkey. We also try to facilitate the procedures and necessary permits of food exports. We expect a serious increase in exports of fish and poultry to Russia. We are ready to meet growing demand for fruit and vegetables as well.” On the other hand, Hayrettin Ucak, board member of Istanbul Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, pointed out the growing potential of Russian market. He said, “Russia has been the biggest buyer of fruits and vegetable produced in Turkey. We expect a ten percent increase in the export of fresh grapes and as well as in other fresh fruits and vegetables exports. This is a political decision, so, how long it will remain effective is unknown. If the Russian and the EU partners do not sit on table to solve the problem, our domination in Russian market will increase. If our contacts with Russians bear their fruits, food exports to Russia will accelerate more and Turkey will get a great share from 12 billion Euro worth of this market.”
