The EEC Council approved duty-free import of 100 thousand tons of tomatoes into Russia

The Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) decided to exempt medium-sized and large-fruited tomatoes imported into Russia and Belarus from customs duties until the end of May. The quota will be 100 thousand tons and 6 thousand tons, respectively, the EEC said in a statement. The preferential rate will not apply to ribbed, oblong and cherry-shaped tomatoes. EEC Minister for Trade Andrey Slepnev noted that there is now an increase in demand for tomatoes, as well as a tendency towards a partial reorientation of agricultural producers from growing one type of tomato to another. “Due to the impossibility of a sharp increase in the production of greenhouse tomatoes, import supplies will help balance the market in the short term,” the minister added. According to Slepnev, we can talk about imports from Turkey, China, Egypt and Iran: tomatoes from these countries can be comparable in price to domestic ones. In December 2023, the Subcommittee on Customs Tariff and Non-Tariff ...