In the first half of the year, Turkey moved a sizable volume of tomatoes, valued at 29,563 million dollars, with Russia ranking fifth among the countries importing Turkish produce. This standing signals ongoing regional demand and Turkey’s role as a dependable supplier of fresh vegetables to neighboring markets. The Anadolu agency provides this market context, closely tied to the Association of Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Associations, and it helps frame the agricultural landscape in Türkiye for readers tracking the sector’s trajectory.
Throughout the period, the agency did not publish explicit trend indicators, leaving readers without a precise numeric path for growth or decline. Still, the reported data point to vigorous export activity and demonstrate Türkiye’s capacity to move large tomato shipments abroad even as trade conditions shift. The broader scene suggests steady international demand for Turkish tomato crops, supported by logistics networks and export infrastructure that keep deliveries flowing to a wide range of destinations.
Aggregating the half-year totals, Türkiye reached exports of 325.2 thousand tonnes, with tomatoes forming a substantial share of foreign sales. The value of these shipments stood at 326 million dollars for the six-month period, while the prior year’s figures show 287.1 thousand tonnes exported for 247.6 million dollars in the same span. This year-on-year comparison highlights meaningful gains in both volume and value, underscoring constructive momentum in Türkiye’s tomato export sector as it meets global demand and competes in important markets.
In the current year, Turkish tomatoes were sent to 48 countries, demonstrating a broad international footprint. Romania led the way as the top importer during this period, reflecting regional trade patterns and the appeal of Turkish tomatoes in Eastern Europe. Aside from Romania, notable destinations included Ukraine, Poland, and Germany, which together accounted for substantial portions of the export mix. The shipments to these markets reached values of 51.3 million dollars for Ukraine, 38.6 million dollars for Poland, and 35.3 million dollars for Germany, illustrating diverse market access and the importance of European markets for Turkish tomato producers.
In related market developments, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a draft instruction to raise the supply quota of Turkish tomatoes by 150,000 tonnes, bringing the total quota to 500,000 tonnes. This proposed expansion signals a welcoming stance toward Turkish tomato imports while balancing domestic supply considerations within Russia. The policy context reflects ongoing negotiations and regulatory responses that shape trade flows between Türkiye and Russia, two central players in regional food supply chains.
Historically, Russia began restricting Turkish tomato imports following an incident in Syrian airspace in late 2015. A ban on fruit and vegetable imports from Ankara remained in place from January 1, 2016, to November 1, 2017, before being lifted after extended talks. The initial quota of 50 thousand tonnes was gradually increased, eventually reaching 320 thousand tonnes by April 2022. This path demonstrates how geopolitical events and diplomatic negotiations can influence agricultural trade, with quota adjustments designed to smooth market fluctuations while preserving bilateral ties. From the Russian market viewpoint, it remains a careful balance between ensuring domestic supply and keeping access to Turkish produce that meets consumer demand across Russia and neighboring regions.
Earlier trends indicate that Russian consumers have shown a preference for certain varieties of produce, with a tendency toward non-greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers to meet seasonal needs. This preference carries implications for Turkish growers, who may tailor varieties, cultivation practices, and delivery timing to align with Russian consumer behavior and regulatory conditions, reinforcing the resilience and adaptability of Türkiye’s agricultural export sector.