Joint inspection of Turkish tomatoes to begin May 10
MOSCOW. May 4 (Interfax) - Russian and Turkish experts will begin joint inspection of tomatoes imported into Russia from Turkey on May 10.
"Joint phytosanitary control over a shipment of Turkish tomatoes imported into the Russian Federation will be carried out with the Turkish Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry's General Directorate for Food and Control on May 10, 2018 at the Gelendzhik seaport," Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said.
The watchdog told Interfax that if the tomatoes arrive before then, they will be inspected like at other ports, by Rosselkhoznadzor experts. Most tomatoes from Turkey are shipped through the Gelendzhik port.
Russia permitted imports of tomatoes from all Turkish suppliers as of May 1, except those located in areas with tomato moth. Imports will be carried out under the joint control of Russian and Turkish experts within the bounds of the current quota of 50,000 tonnes. Turkey has exported 17,000 tonnes of tomatoes to Russia since November 1, 2017, Rosselkhoznadzor said.