Irak decides to stop importing tomatoes

Since May 21, Iraq will no longer import tomatoes. The Iraqi government has decided to protect its tomato producers by taking this decision. Authorities said that the increase in production in regions like Necef and Kerbela was sufficient to meet the demands of Iraqi consumers.

This is a blow to Turkish tomato exporters, of which Iraq is a big buyer. This country is the first importer of Turkish fruits and vegetables.

Since the beginning 2017, Iraq has imported 426,000 tons of Turkish fruits and vegetables for a value of US $ 112 million. Turkish exports had increased by 38 percent compared to the same period in 2016. Iraq was third in the list of Turkish vegetable importers behind Belarus and Romania.

Turkish exporters have the same problem with Russia, which was their biggest consumer of tomatoes. Despite ongoing negotiations, Russia is determined to protect and develop its own tomato production.

Source: www.etarim.net