MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The Russian Trade Representation in Turkey is dealing with the situation regarding the suspension of Russian grain purchases by Turkish flour producers, a representative of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development told TASS on Monday.

"The federation of Turkish flour producers and their suppliers confirmed this piece of information [regarding suspension of Russian agricultural products’ purchases - TASS]. The Trade Representation’s staff addresses the situation," the source said.

Earlier President of the Istanbul Association of Exporters Zekeriya Mete confirmed to TASS that Russian grain imports had been restricted. He said there was a ministerial instruction to restrict imports of grain from Russia.

Turkey has not imposed restrictions on imports of Russian agricultural products and grain, but removed Russia from the list of countries allowed to import products free of duties, a source in Russia’s trade promotion office in Ankara told TASS earlier on Monday.

According to the data provided to the Federal Customs Service, Russian producers delivered 4.7 mln tonnes of grain to Turkey last year, including 2.6 mln tonnes of wheat and 838,000 tonnes of corn.