Turkish fruit and vegetable shipments to Russia rise 8.3% to 568,500 tonnes
Turkey supplied Russia with 568,500 tonnes of fruit and vegetables from January 1 to August 20, up 8.3% year on year. Nectarine shipments increased 2.6-fold, while mandarins remained the largest category among the products reported.
Shipments reach 568,500 tonnes
Turkish fruit and vegetable shipments to Russia reached 568,500 tonnes between January 1 and August 20, an increase of 8.3% from 524,800 tonnes in the same period of 2025, Interfax reported, citing Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision, Rosselkhoznadzor. The figures were released after talks between agency head Sergey Dankvert and Ersin Dilber, director general of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s food and control department.
The data indicate that Turkish suppliers expanded their position in a major destination for fresh produce. TKS reported that Russia was Turkey’s second-largest export market for fresh fruit and vegetables by value in the first half of 2026, behind Iraq, citing Turkish industry sources. Bilateral agricultural trade also increased by more than 30% year on year during the first half, according to Russian Agriculture Ministry data cited by TKS.
Nectarines post the fastest growth
Nectarines recorded the sharpest increase among the specified products. Russian imports from Turkey rose 2.6-fold to 62,600 tonnes from 24,300 tonnes a year earlier, adding about 38,300 tonnes. Apricot shipments climbed 47.9% to 40,000 tonnes from 27,100 tonnes, while peach deliveries increased 31.4% to 36,900 tonnes from 28,100 tonnes.
Mandarins remained the largest category in absolute terms. Shipments rose 39.2% to 224,300 tonnes from 161,200 tonnes, an increase of 63,100 tonnes. Grapefruit deliveries advanced 27.5% to 22,700 tonnes from 17,800 tonnes. The much faster growth in these individual categories than in total produce shipments suggests that the expansion was concentrated in selected fruit segments rather than spread evenly across the product mix.
Phytosanitary controls remain central
Russian and Turkish regulators discussed quarantine and phytosanitary requirements, product quality and safety, cooperation between testing laboratories and controls on pesticide residues. According to Interfax, the Turkish side said it was working to comply with Russian and Eurasian Economic Union requirements. The two authorities agreed to continue their cooperation and support further growth in bilateral agricultural shipments.
Higher physical volumes do not reduce inspection obligations. More consignments increase the importance of traceability, supporting documents and laboratory testing for importers and exporters. Compliance with EAEU plant-quarantine rules, including confirmation that shipments are free from quarantine pests, will remain a condition for further expansion in Russia’s fresh-produce market.
A broader two-way agricultural trade
Russia primarily supplies Turkey with grains, pulses and fats and oils, while purchasing fish, fruit and citrus products from Turkish partners, TKS reported. Russian barley shipments to Turkey increased 12.3-fold year on year in the first half of 2026, wheat exports rose 1.9-fold and corn shipments increased 19% at the beginning of the summer, according to data cited by Lenta.ru.
The reported totals contain one discrepancy. Interfax and TKS identify 524,800 tonnes as the January 1-August 20 volume for 2025 and 568,500 tonnes as the 2026 result. Lenta.ru instead described 524,800 tonnes as the 2026 volume and said it exceeded the whole of 2025. The detailed year-on-year comparison published by Interfax and TKS supports the 568,500-tonne figure. For Turkish growers and exporters, Russia’s demand offers greater sales opportunities, but future growth will depend on seasonal supply, demand and continued compliance with import controls.
