THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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The Antalya Commodity Exchange (ATB) held a Cut Flower Sectoral Analysis Meeting with the participation of industry stakeholders to assess developments in the cut flower sector. The meeting, chaired by ATB President Ali Çandır and moderated by ATB 6th Professional Committee President Ertan Altundağ, was attended by İsmail Yılmaz, President of the Central Anatolia Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters’ Association, members of the ATB 6th Professional Committee, and industry representatives. The meeting addressed the problems faced in the cut flower sector and proposed solutions.
“We are working to develop the cut flower sector”
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, ATB President Ali Çandır stated that the meeting was held at the request of the ATB 6th Professional Committee members. He noted that the issues, requests and suggestions raised at the meeting would be compiled into a report. Çandır stated that a decline is expected in Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TÜİK) crop production forecasts and that the decline in agricultural production will further hinder the already struggling economy.
Çandır also stated that the limits for Ziraat Bank subsidized loans, which will be available through 2026, remain the same, while interest rates have increased, according to a decision published in the Official Gazette, “We will initiate the necessary contacts to make changes in this regard,” he said.
Pointing out that they have successfully completed the Ministry of Trade-supported UR-GE (International Competitiveness Development) Projects, he explained, “In the last eight years, we have organized 16 programmes in 12 countries. As part of the latest UR-GE program aimed at developing cut flower exports, we visited Colombia, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Japan and South Korea. Commercial connections were established in the markets we visited.”
“Employment opportunities in cooperation with İŞKUR”
Underlining that they aim to solve the labour shortage in agriculture as part of the ATB’s “Social Security Specific to Agriculture” project, he noted, “Our goal is to develop a low-cost social security system that is compatible with the structure of our sector, a 160-day vocational training programme for the cut flower sector, including practical and theoretical training and guaranteed employment, could be organized in collaboration with İŞKUR. Training could be initiated based on industry demand.”
“The feasibility report for the Antalya Agriculture-Based Specialized Greenhouse Organized Industrial Zone has been completed and that if there are no problems with the allocation of the land, the implementation phase will begin,” he added…
