Russia again suspected Belarus of re-export of Turkish tomatoes

The ROSSELKHOZNADZOR notes the excess of the volume of supplies of tomatoes from Belarus compared to the planned one by 2.3 thousand tons. At the same time, as the department points out, the fact that Belarus itself has begun to buy more tomatoes from Turkey is alarming. According to the press service of the Russian department, this issue was discussed with the DIRECTOR of the Main State Inspectorate for Seed Production, Quarantine and Plant Protection of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Piskun. The conversation took place at the initiative of the Russian side.

According to the Rosselkhoznadzor, according to the plans, Belarus was supposed to supply 42.8 thousand tons to RUSSIA over the year, but it has already exceeded this figure by 2.3 thousand tons. At the same time, as noted in the Rosselkhoznadzor, certain questions are caused by a multiple increase in the number of Turkish tomatoes imported to Belarus.

Thus, according to Belstat, for 7 months of 2017, 3.5 times more Turkish tomatoes were imported into our country than in 2015 as a whole, and compared to 2012, almost 12 times more.

As Alexander Piskun explained, Turkish tomato is cheaper than Belarusian and is in demand on the market in the republic. As for the increase in the supply of Belarusian tomatoes to Russia, as the official noted, the greenhouse farms of the republic grow tomatoes almost all year round and have conditions for storing products.

Piskun expressed his readiness to receive Rosselkhoznadzor specialists at any time in order to get acquainted with the places of tomato production.

The Rosselkhoznadzor asked the Director of the Inspectorate to provide additional information on the average tomato yield in the country, as well as information on the needs of the population of Belarus in these products.

The Russian side expressed fears about the possible re-export of Turkish tomatoes against the backdrop of an increase in the volume of their purchases by Belarus. “Turkish producers hoped that the Russian market would open against the backdrop of improving relations between the countries. When this did not happen, the surplus of tomatoes affected the price reduction. Belarus has bought tomatoes, apparently at a low price, respectively, these purchases will be reflected in the growth of illegal supplies of tomatoes to Russia,” said Sergei Korolev, HEAD of the Russian National Union of Fruit and Vegetable Producers.

Importers and sellers of tomatoes in the republic explain the increased love of ordinary Belarusians for tomatoes by low import prices and the fact that the population, in principle, began to eat more vegetables and fruits.

Turkish tomatoes have been banned for import into Russia since January 1, 2016. Before the embargo , Russia was the largest importer of Turkish tomatoes, with annual imports of about $250 million. As stated in the Russian government, the restriction on supplies may be lifted in early 2018.