Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that there are no plans to specifically ban tomato imports from Azerbaijan. The matter, according to officials, will be managed naturally by market forces.
Russian media reports quote Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut, who emphasized that Russia’s tomato and cucumber markets are well-balanced but highly seasonal and volatile.
“In summer, we have a plentiful supply of domestic tomatoes and cucumbers, including from private household plots,” Lut explained.
“Imports from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and others serve niche market segments. If domestic production is sufficient, the market simply won’t buy foreign produce. But if there’s a shortage, our friends from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan will step in to help.”
