Official: Russia–Turkey trade to fall by at least $800 mln 2016

MOSCOW, Dec 30 (PRIME) -- Trade between Russia and Turkey is unlikely to exceed U.S. $18-19 billion in 2015 and will fall by at least $800 million in 2015, Deputy Economic Development Minister Alexei Likhachyov said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel on Wednesday.

“What is going on this year with the trade turnover? It is falling, I believe it will not exceed $18-19 billion this year. It is the lowest figure over recent years,” he said.

Trade is likely to shrink on the back of Russian restrictions against Turkey.

“As for food, it is $800 million,” the official said, when asked about the size of the expected fall.

The Russian–Turkish relations deteriorated after Turkey downed Russia’s Su-24 bomber in November.

After that, Russia imposed a range of sanctions against the country, barring imports of fruit, vegetables and some other kinds of food, introducing visas and employment limits for Turks and banning charter flights.

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