An important obstacle for Russia regarding fruits and vegetables imports has been overcome. As of this year, problems such as pesticide remnants and insect infestation will no longer be a reason for Russia to send all the products back to Turkey. Besides, delicate fruits like citrus, strawberries and apricots will not wait in the Russian customs for longer than 12 hours.
According to the sources reached by Milliyet, Russian authorities have made an announcement about the fresh fruits and vegetables trade with Turkey. Building a consensus with Turkish authorities, Russia will only take precautions on the basis of companies, but no longer send all the products back to Turkey due to pesticide remnants and insect infestation. The Turkish trade ministry will increase inspections of exporter companies and companies that do not comply by the standards will not be allowed to export food items.
Exports dropped last year
According to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Association, Russia is the leading destination for Turkey's fresh fruits and vegetables export. Russia is followed by Iraq and Germany. 19% of the overall export to Russia last year was fresh fruits and vegetables. Last year, the obstacles in trade with Russia decreased the exports.
Over the last few years, a lot of Turkish products were sent back from the Russian customs. Turkey, last year tackled Mediterranean fruit fly in citrus which stopped Russia from buying 490 tons of oranges and mandarins.
Customs will work faster
Another precaution has been taken for the customs procedures. According to the decision, delicate products like citrus, strawberries, apricots, cherries and peaches arriving in Russian ports will not wait longer than 12 hours in the customs. Exporters will be able to appeal to the authorities and say "my product is perishable", then the customs will be quicker. Thus, fresh fruits and vegetables will no longer perish in the customs warehouses or in the ships.
Source: Milliyet