THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Mersin Commodity Exchange (MTB) Chairman Abdullah Özdemir stated that the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) request to position Türkiye as a “strategic stock centre” is very important and that the Food Corridor should be established through eastern Mediterranean province of Mersin.
Türkiye has been actively involved in the WFP Executive Board, making voluntary contributions for food assistance in countries like Syria and Iraq, with a preference for purchasing from Turkish suppliers. Mersin, a key province with strong logistics infrastructure, plays a crucial role in WFP aid delivery. Turkish Minister of Agriculture İbrahim Yumaklı highlighted the potential for the country to become a strategic stock centre for regional and global food supplies, citing Mersin’s capabilities.
Mersin, boasting logistics facilities like ports and warehouses, is positioned to become a significant food distribution hub. The establishment of a “Food Corridor” in Mersin could catapult the province into a major food logistics centre, facilitating the rapid transport of agricultural products to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This strategic initiative is expected to boost foreign trade capacity, regional development, and create new job opportunities.
Pointing out that investments in modern storage and processing facilities are envisioned to enhance the region’s food industry, promote food safety standards and ramp up the production of value-added processed food products, Özdemir said, “Improved transport infrastructure between Mersin and neighbouring regions is anticipated to strengthen regional logistics and boost economic growth in both Mersin and Türkiye. Additionally, the strategic positioning of Türkiye as a food supply security guarantor in times of crisis, such as climate change or conflicts, will elevate the country’s stature in global food flow management.”
Higlighting that the focus is on surpassing the role of a stock centre to establish a processing and distribution base that generates added value, Özdemir added, “Mersin’s untapped potential makes it a suitable candidate for such developments. To realise this vision, advocating for a Mersin-centric ‘Food Corridor’ policy and implementing an effective incentive system is essential. With consistent policy implementation, Türkiye aims to upscale its agricultural export volume from 32.6 billion dollars to 50 billion dollars in the near future, showcasing its commitment to enhancing the food industry and economic growth.”
