Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli met his counterpart Minister of Agriculture of Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev and his delegation. The Minister said that Russia is an important partner in the fields of bilateral and regional cooperation.
Pointing out that the general trade volume between the two countries soared 15% to reach more than 25 billion dollars in 2018, Minister Pakdemirli stated that they have a greater potential for agricultural trade.
PRIORITY TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Pakdemirli reminded that fresh fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes, exported to Russia are kept waiting for long periods of time in the ports for control, and therefore the products go bad, that's why priority should be given to the control of fresh fruits and vegetables during the control process. Pakdemirli also emphasized the need to improve the infrastructure of the ports of Tuapse and Novorossiysk, which will be used during the time Gelencik Port is closed.
TOMATO QUOTA HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 150.000 TONS FROM 100.000
Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said the decision to increase the tomato quota of Russia to 150 thousand tons was put into effect after being signed in April.
Noting that it is important to also cooperate on investments, scientific and technical issues as well as bilateral trade between Turkey and Russia, Russian Agriculture Minister Patrushev said that holding the meetings of Agricultural Steering Committee between the two countries on a regular basis is an opportunity for solving the problems.
Thereon, Minister Pakdemirli reminded that the 3rd Period Meeting of the Agricultural Steering Committee will be held in Turkey in 2019.
Minister Patrushev also expressed that he invited Minister Pakdemirli for the Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia which would be organized in St. Petersburg in July.
During the meeting, Minister Pakdemirli emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of fishery products with Russia and hence, the need for the necessary approvals for the firms waiting for approval by Russia as soon as possible. On the other hand, the Russian Minister Patrushev explained that an intensive work is continuing related to the fishing firms waiting for approval. During the meeting, it was discussed that Russia is well-developed in the areas of female selection and stripping of sturgeon fish and cooperation in these issues could be beneficial for the two countries.
MILK POWDER EXPORT REQUEST REPEATED
During the meeting, the request was repeated to export milk powder from Turkey to Russia. Emphasizing that the export of dairy products would be in accordance with the EU standards, Minister Pakdemirli said that he was pleased with the invitation for the Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia which would be organized in St. Petersburg in July and that he would also like to participate in the organization if his program is suitable for.