Iran Exports 500 Trucks of Food Products to Russia

In recent months, Iran has made great efforts to replace Turkey in Russia’s market after Moscow decided to cut off its trade ties with Ankara in the wake of the tension in their relations, Massoud Khansari said, addressing a session this morning.

In line with these efforts, he added, 500 trucks of food products have been sent to Russia through the border of the Azerbaijan Republic.

He also noted that agreements have been made for the direct export of animal products, and that the first dairy cargo will arrive in Russia in the late January.

Back in early December, Khansari had noted that with the withdrawal of Turkey from the Russian market, Iranian goods can be the best replacement for the Turkish ones.

“Currently, a proper opportunity has been created for us in the Russian market, given the withdrawal of Turkey from the market,” he said at the time in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency.

“Russia has a 150-million-people market, which used to supply a major part of its demands in food sector from Turkey,” he stressed.

Tensions between Russia and Turkey have been on the rise since November 24, when Turkey shot down the Russian fighter jet that Ankara says had entered Turkish airspace, a claim strongly rejected by Moscow.

Following Turkey’s move to down the Russian Su-24 military aircraft, Moscow imposed a set of economic and other sanctions against Turkey. Some measures were put into effect immediately, while others have been applied from January 2016.

Russia has been carrying out airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria since September 30, upon a request from the Syrian government.