Changing fresh fruits and vegetables trade from Turkey to Russia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the changing supply and export of the main types of fresh fruits and vegetables from Turkey to Russia. The task of the research was to analyse the problems that arise during the supply and export period, substantiate these problems and find ways to solve them. Turkey is well endowed with agricultural resources and able to meet external demand after meeting domestic demand especially in terms of fresh fruits and vegetables. Turkey’s main and most important trade partner is Russian Federation, specifically for these products. Accordingly, it is important to evaluate the attachment of the markets considering overall productive capacity and export demand in Russia. The data for main fresh fruits and vegetables being exported from Turkey to Russia was assessed regarding the change in time and potential affecting factors. Main exportable agricultural products selected for evaluation are tomatoes and onions as vegetables and mandarins and grapes as fruits. The yearly adjusted data is withdrawn from the databases of the Food and Agriculture Organisation for production and the United Nations COMTRADE for trade. In the scope of this paper, it was aimed to evaluate changing supplies and exports of main fresh fruits and vegetables to Russia, challenges occurred in time and reasoning behind these challenges, and proposing potential improvement paths. Russia is the main importer of Turkish citrus fruits (mandarins) tomatoes, grapes and onions. It was seen fluctuations in the trade of these products due to marketing conditions including diplomatic situations between the two countries. It should be pointed out that historical contacts and geographical dependency leads to countries to maintain contacts and it was considered as essential to empower both supply and demand sides through cooperation in many areas.