Putin and Erdogan agree to lift restrictions on Russian grain supplies to Turkey

SOCHI, May 3. /TASS/. The agreements of the presidents of Russia and Turkey include lifting of restrictions on the supplies of Russian grain to Turkey, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich told reporters.

"I will repeat what the president said - we agreed that all individual limitations of the parties are removed. There are nuances in terms of timing, because something can be solved in one day, something in a week. However, in general, all restrictions, except for the general visa regime and special agreements on tomatoes that are yet to be achieved, are lifted. The agreements include grain," Dvorkovich said.

"All restrictions are being removed simultaneously, and we hope that this will take a few days," Dvorkovich said.

"The exact mechanism was not worked out. In any case, the restrictions will remain, in this sense our producers don’t need to worry. Some flexible mechanisms might be introduced," Dvorkovich said.

He explained that it is important that domestic tomato producers receive sufficient income throughout the year. This means that in certain periods of the year some imports of Turkish tomatoes might see some easing.

However, Dvorkovich noted, certain restrictions on imports of tomatoes can remain for 3-5 years. "However, they will be more flexible than just an embargo," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Dvorkovich sad he hopes that lifting restrictions between Russia and Turkey on the supply of foods will be formalized within a few days. "All restrictions are being removed simultaneously, and we hope that this will take a few days," Dvorkovich said.

In the meantime, the agreements of the presidents of Russia and Turkey include lifting of restrictions on the supplies of Russian grain to Turkey, Dvorkovich said.

"I will repeat what the president said - we agreed that all individual limitations of the parties are removed. There are nuances in terms of timing, because something can be solved in one day, something in a week. However, in general, all restrictions, except for the general visa regime and special agreements on tomatoes that are yet to be achieved, are lifted. The agreements include grain," Dvorkovich said.

Turkey has cancelled duty-free import for Russian agricultural products on March 15. The duty on import of wheat and corn from Russia is 130%, rice - 45%, beans - 9.7%, sunflower oil - an average of 36%. At the same time, the minimum customs value of the delivered products should reach $1,500 at the current price for sunflower oil of $800 per tonne. In response, Russia has kept the ban on supplies of Turkish tomatoes and cucumbers.