Turkish agriculturalists seek measures as fresh produce prices plunge amid Russia crisis

Turkish agricultural producers have asked for measures to stabilize fresh fruit and vegetable prices, which have plunged almost by half after Russia announced that it would halt the imports of many agricultural products by the beginning of 2016 amid a diplomatic crisis with Turkey. Sector representatives have defined the situation as "unexpected panic," which has triggered speculative price slumps. 

After the diplomatic crisis erupted between Turkey and Russia on Nov. 24, Russian authorities stopped the inflow of Turkish goods into the country, according to Turkish officials. 

"A total of 160 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables have been turned back from Russia since Nov. 24. This amount is very small, but Russia's announcements to stop the imports have created a panic mood, pushing down the prices by 40 percent across Turkey," said the head of the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), ?emsi Bayraktar, in a press conference on Dec. 4, as quoted by Anadolu Agency. 

Bayraktar noted some circles have tried to benefit from this situation. 

"Some circles want to buy the products for cheaper prices by claiming many producers will earn nothing as they will not make exports. This is the real danger," he added. 

He underlined there were huge uncertainties in the sector, encouraging many producers to sell their yields as soon as possible. 

"This has pushed down the prices dramatically," he noted. 

Bayraktar said the price of one kilogram of tomatoes at the wholesalers had decreased from 1.5-2 Turkish Liras to 1.3 liras, and one kilogram of oranges from 50-60 kuru? to 30 kuru?. 

No to tomatoes, yes to lemons 

The Russian order, published on the government's official website on Dec. 1,...