Russia to ban Turkish produce imports

November 30 , 2015

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Russia will ban imports of Turkish fruit and vegetables, according to reports in the Russian press.

Restrictions will likely begin on Jan. 1, 2016, and will prevent certain fresh produce categories being traded between the two countries, locked in dispute since the downing of a Russian jet on the Syrian border earlier this month.

Despite calls for calm, relations between Turkey and Russia are worsening with today's announcement of yet another round of food import sanctions on a key fruit-exporting region.

It follows a few days of speculation in fresh produce sectors around the world with many watching closely to see how far-reaching a possible ban could be.

According to Reuters, Moscow may delay introducing the ban, which currently does not cover importing Turkish industrial goods, in a bid to ease inflationary pressure.