The long wait at the border with Bulgaria due to the laboratory tests of the produce hinders Turkey's export of fruits and vegetables to European countries, reports the "Hurriet Daily News", BNR reported.

"Problems have existed since April, but in the last 10 days they have deepened, with trucks having to wait at least three to four days at the Kapakule/Kapitan Andreevo border crossing. Due to the delay, Turkish exporters have to pay compensation to their customers in Europe," he wrote. also the edition in our south-eastern neighbor.

"The problems in the laboratory in Bulgaria first appeared in April, but then they were resolved. However, they re-emerged in August and have continued and worsened since then," says Yumit Raza Çavuşoğlu, head of the Association of Western Mediterranean Exporters (WMEE).

Truck parking lots on both the Bulgarian and Turkish sides are already full due to the long wait, he adds.

According to Çavuşoğlu, the main cause of the problem is the political situation in Bulgaria.

"In the last 20 months, elections were held five times, but no government was formed. There may be another vote in March, and if a government emerges from these elections, the problems (at the border) may be solved," he added.

He reminds that while before the analysis of the products was carried out at the border, after that the samples began to be sent for inspection in Sofia.

Manufacturers from the southern district of Antalya have managed to increase exports by 10 percent, but now problems at the border are hindering exports, added Ali Bahar, head of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"Such problems at the border have arisen sometimes in recent years, but they were resolved after the intervention of governments, although then they started again. We need a permanent solution. Only 15-20 trucks' products are inspected a day. This week we will inform the relevant ministries about the problems we face," Bahar added.

The state takes over all food control activities at the "Captain Andreevo" checkpoint

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