The fate of the Turkish potatoes sent back from Tunisia has been revealed.

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Work has begun to destroy 2,500 tons of potatoes that were exported to Tunisia and returned due to identified bacteria in Mersin. The 2,500 tons of potatoes exported to Tunisia were returned due to a detected bacterium. The ship carrying the potatoes arrived at Taşucu Port on December 19. After the preparations for destruction were completed, the potatoes began to be unloaded from the ship today. It was stated that the products would be destroyed at a facility in Tarsus.

"WE WILL DESTROY THE PRODUCTS"

In a statement made yesterday in Ankara, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, "The potatoes exported to Tunisia are being returned not due to any pesticide residue or other reasons, but because of a disease specific to the identified plant. Just like with others, we will not tolerate this. We will destroy the identified products," he said.

"OUR LOSS IS 1 MILLION 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS"

The representative of the company that exported the potatoes, İrem Oral, stated, "I want to express my condolences on behalf of our country and our company. Our ship set sail for Tunisia on November 11. However, a bacterium said to have come from the soil was detected there, and its return to our country was requested. The ship arrived at the port on December 19, but we were only able to bring it to the dock for destruction today. During this process, the company faced significant financial and moral difficulties. We had purchased the products from a trader in Nevşehir. Our average loss is 1 million 100 thousand dollars. The destruction will be carried out in Tarsus under the ministry's supervision," she said.