Russia could limit supplies of Turkish goods in response to Turkish actions - Dvorkovich
MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - Russia could limit supplies of Turkish goods as a response to the country's actions, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said.
"If they are in relation to ours, then it could indeed be necessary, it's not out of the question. I hope that nevertheless sensible thoughts prevail," Dvorkovich told journalists, responding to a question on whether Russia will have to limit supplies of Turkish goods.
On March 15 Turkey excluded Russia from countries which could supply wheat to the country without a duty. Russian exporters can now only supply wheat to the Turkish market with a duty of 130%. Duties were also imposed on Russian corn (130%), rice (45%), sunflower meal (13.5%) and legumes (9.7%).
On January 1, 2016 Russia's government banned supplies of Turkish tomatoes, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, pickles, citrus fruits and other types of fruits and vegetables, as well as wild strawberries and strawberries. The decision was taken after a Russian SU-24 bomber jet was shot down by a Turkish fighter jet in November 2015.
On March 17, 2016 Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) banned imports of peppers and pomegranates from Turkey; eggplants on April 25; green leaf and iceberg lettuce on May 16; and squash and pumpkins on May 19. These decisions were made due to continued shipment of products from Turkey that were infected by organisms subject to quarantine in Russia.
After Turkey officially apologized for downing the plane, Russia lifted the ban on imports of oranges, tangerines, apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums from Turkey as of October 9, 2016. On March 9, 2017 the ban on supplies of onions, shallots, cauliflowers and broccolis, as well salt and cloves, was lifted.
Meanwhile, one of Turkey's major exports to Russia, tomatoes, remains banned. The ban on export of cucumbers, apples and pears has not been lifted as well. The ban on poultry products, including chicken and turkey carcass parts and offal, still remains.