Fresh fruit and vegetable exports to Russia increased by 60% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching $258.4 million.
Fresh fruit and vegetable exports to Russia rose to $258.4 million in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 60% compared to the same period of the previous year, with the effect of Turkiye’s policy of balance in the Russia-Ukraine War and the conduct of relations between the two countries in line with its own interests.
According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent from the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), Turkiye exports to Russia hundreds of items, mainly chemicals and products, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, oil seeds, ready-made clothing, and cement.
Many products are imported from this country, including natural gas, oil, and iron and steel.
Leader in fresh fruit and vegetables in agricultural exports
While $2 billion 448 million were exported to Russia in the first quarter of this year, total exports increased by 132.9% compared to the same period of the previous year.
The agricultural sector also plays an important role in the trade between the two countries. The exports of this sector correspond to 18% of the total exports to the country in question.
In the first quarter of this year, the most exported agricultural products were fresh fruits and vegetables with $258.4 million. The sector’s exports increased by 60% compared to the same period of the previous year. This sector was followed by cereals, pulses, oilseeds and their products with $134.3 million, and fruit and vegetable products with $17 million.
In the same period, the product that increased its exports the most was recorded as tobacco with 271.4%. This was followed by fruit and vegetable products with 265%, olive and olive oil with 231.5%, cereals, pulses, oil seeds and products with 161.4%.
In the January-March period of this year, imports from Russia decreased by 1.6%.
Mehmet Ali Unal, Chairman of the Turkish Association of Agricultural Engineers, drew attention to the importance of trade between the two countries and stated that the fact that the countries procure the products they need from each other benefits many sectors.
Stating that agriculture draws attention among these sectors, Unal said, “Russia is a market that comes first for our producers. In this sense, it is very important for the agricultural sector. It is the most important country we export to, especially in fresh and dried fruits and vegetables. We think that our exports to Russia will gradually increase. This increase will reflect positively on our industry.”
Noting that one of the prominent products in exports is cereals, pulses and oilseeds, Unal underlined that the continuation of the mild climate in the relations between the two countries would benefit all sectors.
Turkiye is the leader in the export of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish products to Russia
Ahmet Hamdi Gurdogan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Eastern Black Sea Exporters’ Association (DKIB), stated that the increase in exports to Russia will continue.
Gurdogan said, “Fish and fresh vegetable production will be higher in the coming months. This shows that the Eastern Black Sea Region is the leader in exports especially to Russia, primarily in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables, and fish and fish products. In addition, other products such as construction materials are also included in the ranking.”
Gurdogan, above all, underlined that an increase in trade means an increase in employment.
Pointing out that Russia is a very important market for Turkiye, Gurdogan said:
“Besides, we need to see not only Russia, but also the Turkic Republics and the Asian market as a whole. We would like to underline that the share of high-tech products in this market may increase gradually. In January-April this year, $86 million 189 thousand 373 worth of exports were made from Trabzon to Russia in 22 sectors. Fresh vegetables and fruits, aquatic products, chemicals, hazelnuts and hazelnut products came first in this export. Likewise, $3 billion 200 million 148 thousand 396 worth of exports were made from Turkiye to Russia between January-April this year.”
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz