In the first 11 months of 2020, Turkey's tomato exports increased by 7.5% compared with the same period last year to reach $280 million. This produce has been exported to 60 countries worldwide.
Russia, the traditional market for fresh fruit and vegetable exports, ranked first in tomato exports also. Sales to this country amounted to $56 million, followed by Romania with $44 million and Ukraine with $32.6 million.
Hayrettin Uçak, the chairperson of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, told dailysabah.com that the rise in COVID-19 cases worldwide pushed people toward consuming more vegetables and fruits, fueling exports.
Uçak said that Turkey exports most of its tomatoes to Russia; however, the quota problem still persists in foreign sales. The initial 150,000 tons of the quota expired on February 8, Uçak said, but the limit was then raised to 200,000 tons as a result of the mutual efforts by the ministries of both countries.