Russia, Turkey Discuss Development Of Agricultural Trade - Russian Agriculture Ministry

Russia, Turkey Discuss Development of Agricultural Trade - Russian Agriculture Ministry

Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev and his Turkish counterpart, Bekir Pakdemirli, held a working meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, where they discussed the development of bilateral agricultural trade, the Russian Agriculture Ministry said

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th May, 2019) Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev and his Turkish counterpart, Bekir Pakdemirli, held a working meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, where they discussed the development of bilateral agricultural trade, the Russian Agriculture Ministry said.

The ministers spoke about boosting Turkish agricultural exports to Russia via Port Kavkaz in the Russian Krasnodar Territory while the port in Gelendzhik continues undergoing reconstruction.

"We are discussing the issue of boosting capacities of Port Kavkaz in order to ensure that more ships can be received. So this port will be a full-fledged alternative to the port of Gelendzhik," the ministry said in a statement.

The minister also noted that Russia had decided to increase its quota for Turkish tomato imports from 100,000 to 150,000 tonnes. The countries are also working to accredit Turkish fishing and dairy companies so that they may continue being active in the Russian market.

According to Patrushev, between January and April, Russian-Turkish agricultural trade increased to $1.2 billion year-on-year. Turkey mainly exports tomatoes, fruit, assorted vegetables and fish to Russia, and imports grain crops and sunflower oil from its partner.

During the talks Patrushev also pointed to the need to develop bilateral scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture as well as increase the number of joint projects in this area.

Russian-Turkish trade continues to recover after the 2015-2016 crisis, when Moscow introduced a food embargo against Ankara in response to the downing of a Russian aircraft over Syria.