Turkish mills buy EU, Black Sea wheat to replace Russian imports.
Turkish flour mills have covered their short-term needs by purchasing several hundred thousand tons of wheat from EU and Black Sea countries, replacing Russian supplies blocked by a change to import rules, millers and traders said on April 5. Turkey has effectively halted purchases from Russia of wheat, maize (corn) and sunflower seeds by removing Russian items from a duty-free import scheme from March 15. The Turkish move meant Russian supplies facing a prohibitive 130 percent duty, though Ankara has denied banning imports from Russia. Moscow has said the tariffs are hindering relations.