REJECTION rates for potatoes exported to Turkey have reached an all-time high, prompting better collaboration calls from European suppliers.
Turkey is the fourth-largest destination for EU-grown seed potatoes, with several European countries regularly exporting to the Turkish market. All seed potatoes destined for Turkey must undergo certification inspection to confirm their compliance with Turkish import requirements.
However, in recent years, the number of rejections by Turkish authorities, based on sampling and testing conducted upon arrival, has increased significantly. For example, last year, many European suppliers experienced rejections owing to Turkish testing. Rejection rates varied between companies, with some facing rejection of up to 50% of their total shipments.
This year’s export season, which took place in spring, has seen even higher rejection rates. Based on data shared by Europatat members, rejection rates for some exporting countries reached up to 35% of total country exports. Moreover, the pests detected in rejected consignments this year differed from those identified last year.
European Potato Trade Association, Europatat, said that in one case, seed potatoes from the same production lot were shipped to Turkey in two separate consignments and one was accepted while the other was rejected. In the past, there have also been cases in which certain pests intercepted on European seed potatoes are not known to be present in the country of origin.
In addition to the rising number of rejections, a long-standing issue further complicates exports to Turkey, according to Europatat. The difference in nomenclature for different seed potato classes. While Turkey, like the EU, imposes phytosanitary conditions on imports, certain restrictions appear to stem from differences in classification rather than plant health concerns.
“As a result, exporting seed potatoes to Turkey has become increasingly difficult over the last few years. This export season, many Europatat members decided to divert their exports to alternative markets to avoid rejections at the Turkish border and significant financial losses. Next year, even more companies may avoid exporting to Turkey, as confidence in the process continues to decline,” the organisation stated in a recent announcement.
“Europatat urges Turkish authorities to collaborate closely with the NPPOs of exporting countries and with exporters to ensure that official controls and testing performed upon arrival in Turkey are in line with the international standards. This cooperation is essential to confirm that seed potatoes exported by many European countries meet Turkish import requirements.
“Europatat remains committed to supporting the dialogue already initiated by several European NPPOs and Turkish authorities, with the aim of significantly reducing rejections in the next export season.”
Source: Europatat Photo: Şinasi Müldür
