Russia May Partially Lift Ban on Import of Turkish Vegetables

Russia may lift its ban on the import of certain types of Turkish fruit and vegetables, but this is expected to happen in stages throughout the remainder of the year, claims the Head of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Alexei Ulyukayev, after a meeting with the Turkish Minister of Economy, Nihat Zeybekchi.

"This possibility is, of course, retained. But we are preparing for it. We have prepared a number of proposals for the removal of the ban on access to some agricultural products. Not all, but some,” said Ulyukayev.

He did not specify, however, what kind of products will be permitted for importation. According to Ulyukayev, the niche of fruit is not fully catered for by the domestic Russian market.

"Turkey offers a range of products which has no analogue in our country or is available to just a very limited extent. For example, citrus fruits-oranges,” he said.

Ulyukayev added that the Turkish minister also promised to deal with matters relating to Turkey's restrictions on the import of Russian meat and milk.

It was previously reported that an agreement on a free trade zone between Russia and Turkey may be signed at the end of 2017.

Dimitri Dolaberidze