Exporters of Turkish vegetables and fruit to Russia may lose about $150 mln because of tension in relation between Russia and Turkey, the Dunya newspaper reported on Tuesday citing its own sources. According to the newspaper, there is a risk that about 190,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables won't be delivered to Russia or can be spoiled. Exporters are worried because the Turkish domestic market was not expected to receive those products. The newspaper marks that although the goods may stay in Turkey, the domestics prices on vegetables and fruit are growing. "It is expected that the prices will go down if the products are supplied to the domestic market but it turns out that consumers don't see the decline in prices. The salesmen began to raise prices under the pretext of the beginning of winter season," the newspaper said. The newspaper also cited Cetin Nuhoglu, President of the International Transporters Association. He said that after the toughening of the customs procedures by the Russian authorities there are line of heavy transporters on the border, which carry cargoes not only to Russia but also to the countries of Central Asia via Russia. Nuhoglu that this situation prompts cargo transporters to start using the Caspian route more intensively. If the ferry via the Caspian Sea starts working at a full capacity the road costs for Turkish trucks will fall by 30%, he said. On November 26, Russia strengthened control over supplies of food products from Turkey. It introduces additional measures on the border and at production sites. According to Russia's Agriculture Ministry, the measures are introduced after Turkish producers repeatedly violated Russian standards. The Russian watchdog has begun intensive inspections of Turkish products on the domestic market.
