Ukraine ready to replace Russia in Turkish grain market

The Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Oleksiy Pavlenko has written on his Facebook page.

"If Turkey's traditional partners impose sanctions that is they will suspend to supply their grain, Ukraine is ready to  at least double its exports of grain, corn and sunflower oil. Turkey is our long-lasting and reliable partner, we are ready to act as a guarantor of food security for Turkey," a statement said.

Pavlenko noted that whatever the decision of the Russian side would be, it should not affect the food security of Turkey. "Ukraine has plenty of suitable quality products to meet the needs of Turkish customers in case the Russian Federation imposes exports restrictions,"  said the minister.

Earlier, in the 10 months of 2015 Ukraine exported to Turkey of agricultural products worth nearly $566 million, including grain of more than $55 million, and sunflower oil worth nearly $75 million.

"If Russia introduces food embargo  against Turkey, Ukraine may significantly increase these numbers due to additional supplies of wheat, corn, barley, beans and sunflower oil," said Pavlenko.