Last week, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture announced that the first shipments of citrus had been sent to Russia. According to the Russians, that information is incorrect. “They are a bit too eager in their statements,” responded the head of the phytosanitary service. “They can prepare the contracts for future shipments, but the decision will be made after we have held an inspection. The inspections have been scheduled for next week.”
According to the Turkish authorities, Russia will remove more products from the list of boycotted products in the short term, said the minister of Trade in the media. “The Russian market once again opened its doors for us. We can already export oranges, tangerines, apricots, peaches and plums,” said the minister. “We continue to hold talks with Russia, and know that Russia wants to allow entry to more products in the short term.”
Although the sanctions against Turkey have been lifted, the Turkish exporters will not immediately turn their backs on the new markets they have opened up for themselves. These new markets are mainly in Asia and the Middle East.
Dutch export fruit trees allowed
Sector organisation LTO announced this week that the Netherlands has been given permission to export fruit and avenue trees to Russia again for the first time since 2008. In September, the Russian authorities inspected Dutch companies. During these eight inspections, the samples proved to be free of diseases, and were approved because of that. These eight companies were given permission to export, on the condition that there is actual demand from a Russian partner.