Russia lifts ban on import of Turkish tomatoes

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Russia on Friday signed a decree, lifting its restrictions on the import of tomatoes from Turkey beginning Nov. 1.

"The amendment will allow Turkey to export tomatoes in the amounts approved by the Agriculture Ministry under the guarantee of a competent Turkish agency and under the supervision of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) starting 1 November, 2017," the Russian Government said in a statement.

On Oct. 18, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that they would allow the import of 50,000 tons of Turkish tomatoes to Russia starting from December.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said on Friday that Moscow expects Turkey will open its market for Russian meat producers "soon", according to Russia's official TASS news agency.

Russia had banned some Turkish agricultural imports as well as firms involved in construction, engineering, and tourism, following the downing of a Russian fighter jet by Turkish forces in 2015.

However, during this summer, Russia relaxed trade sanctions placed on Turkey.