Tomato exports from Turkey to Russia increased by 186 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year, reaching 86 million 53 thousand dollars.
According to the information compiled from the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Association (GAİB) data, a total of 291 million 855 thousand dollars of tomato exports were made to different countries in 2018. In 2019, the figures of the previous year were exceeded and an income of 304 million 513 thousand dollars was obtained from exports to 56 countries.
Russia was one of the countries that exported the most tomatoes. Turkey exported tomatoes to Russia worth 30 million 625 thousand dollars in 2018. Tomato exports to Russia increased by 186 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year, reaching 86 million 53 thousand dollars. Russia was followed by Romania with 36 million 409 thousand dollars and Ukraine with 30 million 18 thousand dollars.
Müslüm Yanmaz, President of Greenhouse Investors and Producers Association (SERA-BİR) and GAP Greenhouse Growers Association, stated in his statement to AA correspondent that there was a decrease in yield in 2019 due to seasonal conditions.
Explaining that the increase in export figures is pleasing despite the negativities experienced, Yanmaz said, “Exports are increasing, last year exports increased from 285 million dollars to 305 million dollars. The good thing is that we could not send anything to Russia after the plane crisis, our exports, which were 30 million dollars the previous year, this year It has increased to 90 million dollars. This means that our tomato exports to Russia have opened. But in previous years, exports from tomatoes alone were 275 million dollars. Now we are making efforts for it. They are making great efforts, especially our President, and we, as producers, are exporting to Russia. “We are also looking for ways to protect and develop these markets.” said.
Yanmaz said that they are in talks to expand into new markets outside Russia and that they are also working on exporting tomatoes to China.
Stating that they expect an increase in tomato exports this year, Yanmaz said, “Export figures increased in 2019, but it was not a good year in terms of production. Currently, our production is very good, the prices satisfy the producers. The climate is also better than last year. Unexpected changes in disease and climate “Unless something happens, we can talk about a 20 to 25 percent increase this year.” he said.
“We are pleased that exports are currently being made”
İbrahim Kılıç, who produces tomatoes with soilless agriculture technique in geothermal greenhouses in the Karaali region of Şanlıurfa, stated that they did not have a problem with exports last year and that they sent the products to Russia, Romania and Germany, and said, “We expect this year to be better than last year, the course of events already shows that.” “We are pleased that exports are currently being made. We expect an increase of 20 to 25 percent in tonnage this year.” he said.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/rusyaya-domates-ihracati-2019da-yuzde-186-artti-/1715119
