Skip to main content

Turkey's tomato exports to Russia come at a price for Turks

Turkish exporters resumed tomato sales to Russia in November after a two-year embargo, but only a month later, Turkish consumers discovered there is little to celebrate.
RTX25JC4.jpg
Read in 

Over two years have passed since Turkey shot down a Russian jet in November 2015. The event triggered a major crisis as Moscow responded with a string of economic sanctions. Since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's apology in June 2016, the relationship between Turkey and Russia has notably improved: Russian tourists are returning to Turkish resorts, visa requirements for Turkish businesspeople have been lifted and bilateral trade is on the rise.

Among the restrictions that Russia imposed on fruits and vegetables from Turkey, the ban on tomatoes lasted the longest, with the tomato becoming a symbol of the crisis. Even after frequent bilateral meetings, Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin still could not agree on the tomato issue. Russian officials argued that the ban remained in place to encourage domestic producers, although Turkish tomatoes reportedly continued to make their way to Russia indirectly, via third countries.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.