Turkey, which exported $2 billion 15 million of fresh fruit and vegetables in the January-September period, made $627 million 442 thousand of foreign sales to Russia. Nejdat Sin, President of the Mediterranean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, said, “We exist in Russia in every way and in every environment. Of course, we need to protect and develop the existing market.”
31% of Turkey’s $2 billion 15 million of fresh fruit and vegetable exports in the 9 months of the year was made to Russia with $627 million 442 thousand.
According to the information compiled by AA correspondent from the data of the Mediterranean Exporters’ Associations (AKIB), fresh fruit and vegetable exports in the January-September period increased by 19% compared to the same period of the previous year and reached $2 billion 15 million.
31% of the export was made to Russia, with an increase of 15% compared to the January-September period of last year, with $627 million 442 thousand. Exporters sent 834 thousand 998 tons of products to this country in 9 months of the year.
Russia was followed by Germany with $238 million 24 thousand, Romania with $158 million 306 thousand, Iraq with $155 million 939 thousand and Ukraine with $113 million 898 thousand.
HIGHEST INCREASE IN LIBYA AND SYRIA
The countries where the sector recorded the highest increase in exports in the January-September period were Libya and Syria.
Exports of $4 million 945 thousand to Libya in the 9 months of last year increased by 187% in the same period of this year and reached $14 million 206 thousand.
Foreign sales to Syria, which was $25 million 175 thousand in the January-September period of last year, were recorded as $72 million 58 thousand with an increase of 186% in the 9 months of 2021.
The most exported products of the sector in the January-September period were tomatoes with $264 million 759 million, lemon with $184 million 30 thousand and cherries with $184 million 5 thousand.
“PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL”
Nejdat Sin, Chairman of the Mediterranean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, reminded the AA correspondent that Russia is an important market in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Explaining that promotional activities have an important effect on the increase in exports to this country, Sin said:
“We did not reach this point in exports to Russia. I am a person who knows the area, the field and the market closely. Many years ago, in the years when the Eastern Bloc countries first disintegrated, we held on to that market by paying serious prices. After that, the promotional campaigns were very successful. The promotions we made with the Citrus Promotion Group in previous years contributed. We also received first prizes for promotion in Russia. We exist in Russia in every way, in every environment. Of course, it is necessary to protect the existing market, build on it and develop it.”
Stating that as AKIB, they participated in the “World Food Moscow Fair” held in Russia on September 21-24, Sin stated that the fair made a positive contribution to the export potential of this country.
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz