THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Reminding that 70 percent of the banana consumed 20 years ago was imported, WPC-Walnut Chairman Berk Noyan said, “Now, domestic production meets 90 percent of the demand. We wrote a success story in bananas, we can also do it in walnuts.”
Turkey, which ranks third after China and Iran among the countries that consume the most walnuts in the world, produces only one third of its consumption despite its fertile lands. WPC Agricultural Products Inc. Walnut’s chairman of the board of directors, A. Berk Noyan, explained, “An average of 150-160 thousand tonnes of walnuts are consumed annually in Turkey. On the other hand, commercial walnut production in Turkey is around 60-65 tonnes. However, Turkey can meet its consumption and even export walnuts. country.”
“IMPORT IMPEDES”
“Banana was a 70-80 percent imported fruit in Turkey 20 years ago. Taxes on the import of this fruit were raised a long time ago and domestic production was encouraged. Currently, a 145 percent customs tax is applied to bananas. And domestic production currently covers 90 percent of domestic consumption. Walnut is a big investment for 10-15 years. And import taxes fall to 4 percent during harvest periods. This causes Turkey to become a paradise of cheap and poor quality walnuts. We want the successful example applied in bananas to be implemented walnuts as well,” Noyan noted.
“WE HAVE THE BEST QUALITY”
Indicating that imported walnuts come mostly from the USA, Chile and China to Turkey, Noyan added, “The imported walnuts take months to arrive and some preservatives are applied to the products and dried during transportation. Therefore, local walnuts are healthier, more delicious and fresh.”
“EXPORT REACHED 25 MILLION DOLLARS”
Stating that Turkey’s walnut exports in 2020 are around 25 million dollars and that this export is mainly made to Middle Eastern countries, A. Berk Noyan concluded that the fact that Turkey is a large walnut consumer and that its production is not enough for its own consumption and this is one of the biggest obstacles for the growth of exports. .
