Russia raises cumulative quota for Turkish tomato imports to 600,000 tonnes
Russia’s Agriculture Ministry has increased the permitted volume of fresh or chilled tomato imports from Turkey by 100,000 tonnes to a cumulative 600,000 tonnes. The order retains an annual limit of 20,000 tonnes, constraining how quickly Turkish suppliers can use the expanded quota.
Quota rises by 100,000 tonnes
Russia’s Agriculture Ministry has increased the permitted volume of fresh or chilled tomato imports from Turkey by 100,000 tonnes, bringing the cumulative quota to 600,000 tonnes, Interfax reported on 21 July. The corresponding ministerial order was published on Russia’s official legal information portal.
The document covers products classified under Eurasian Economic Union commodity code 0702 00 000. It authorizes imports of 600,000 tonnes into the Russian Federation while stipulating that the annual volume must not exceed 20,000 tonnes.
The higher cumulative allowance therefore does not provide unrestricted annual access to the Russian market. Turkish growers and exporters gain additional room under the overall quota, but the yearly ceiling will continue to determine the pace at which that volume can be supplied. Russian importers must also plan purchases within the annual limit.
Restrictions date back to 2015
Russia introduced restrictions on Turkish tomato supplies after an incident involving a Russian fighter aircraft over Syria in the autumn of 2015. From 1 January 2016, Russia prohibited imports of vegetables and fruit from Turkey as part of a broader package of special economic measures.
Tomato shipments resumed on 1 November 2017 after extended negotiations between the two countries, according to Interfax. Access was initially limited to a quota of 50,000 tonnes, creating a controlled channel for Turkish tomatoes to return to the Russian market.
The latest change amends an Agriculture Ministry order dated 14 June 2023. That order implements measures linked to a Russian government resolution of 30 November 2015 and a presidential decree of 28 November 2015 concerning national security and special economic measures against Turkey.
Quota expanded in successive stages
Russia has progressively increased the cumulative quota since Turkish tomato shipments resumed. The initial 50,000-tonne allowance was raised to 100,000 tonnes and then to 150,000 tonnes in April 2019. It increased to 200,000 tonnes in February 2020 and to 250,000 tonnes in January 2021.
The ceiling was lifted again to 300,000 tonnes in spring 2021, followed by 350,000 tonnes in April 2022. In June 2023, the permitted cumulative volume reached 500,000 tonnes. The new order takes it to 600,000 tonnes, continuing the gradual expansion of market access rather than removing the quota system.
For Turkish suppliers, the additional 100,000 tonnes extends the potential lifespan of the approved trade channel. The immediate effect remains moderated by the 20,000-tonne annual cap: the cumulative increase is equivalent to five years of imports at the maximum yearly rate. For Russian producers and distributors, the mechanism preserves a predictable limit on annual Turkish competition while allowing the government to maintain a controlled supply source for fresh tomatoes.
