Nuts, peaches, cherries: what Russia will lose because of the earthquake in Turkey

Experts hope infrastructure will recover quickly

A terrible earthquake in Turkey will affect not only the Russian tourism industry. Many other important industries will suffer – after all, after the introduction of harsh economic sanctions last year, Turkey has become one of Russia’s main trading partners. “MK” with the help of experts found out what we can lose due to the rampant elements.

Among the goods imported from Turkey to the Russian Federation, vegetable products (29%), machine-building equipment (18%), textiles 14%, as well as transport, plastic and metal products are in the lead.

Exports to Russia in June last year, compared to May, jumped by 46%, and compared to June 2021 – by 52%. Analysts expect Ankara to take an honorable fourth place in the supply of its goods to the Russian market in 2022.

As Dmitry Leonkov, deputy chairman of the board of the Rusprodsoyuz association, told us, the key food imports from Turkey are fruits and nuts, vegetables, as well as various edible fats and oils. There are no final figures for the past year yet. But in 2021, Russia imported fruits and nuts for more than $917 million, fats and oils for $151 million, and vegetables for $148 million.

It is clear that in 2022 the volume of exports increased significantly. In particular, imports of nuts and fruits – peaches and cherries – grew the most, by almost 50%. These volumes are estimated at 168 million dollars.

In addition, the Middle East region has become for us the main “transshipment” base for the supply of some products from unfriendly countries. Who supported the sanctions after the start of a special military operation in Ukraine.

As a result, the Russians did not see any impoverishment of the assortment in stores at all. Including how watches work parallel imports of manufactured goods and electronics. The only drawback of such deliveries is the increased logistics time and, of course, the prices.

How can a terrible tragedy in the south of the republic affect food imports from Turkey?

– Of course, because of the tragedy, we are waiting for certain inconveniences, – Bogdan Antonenko, the chairman of the board of the United Association of Carriers, tells our newspaper. But I don’t think they will last long. Our association has international carriers that travel to Turkey. Here, during these two days, really terrible, there were no serious failures. Due to the earthquake, logistics routes were damaged mainly in southern Turkey. And we border in the north – through Armenia and Georgia. As a result of the replacement of individual links in the supply chain, there will be delays in the delivery of goods to Russia and a certain increase in prices. However, let’s hope that the country’s transport infrastructure will recover quickly.

– What are the logistics centers from which goods arrive in Russia?

– These are class A multifunctional complexes with container terminals, warehouses for dry products and chambers with temperature control, with access roads for road and rail transportation. Industrial and office premises, customs, packaging and labeling of goods are also concentrated there.

The transport network is very developed, there are a lot of branches. Just for some time, increased loads will fall on individual sections. In any case, logistics will find its way to the buyer.

As far as I know, there are five ferry crossings with a capacity of 120 cars each, land border crossings, thousands of cars carrying various cargoes for our country. And fulfilling previously concluded contracts.