THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
The region’s 10-month export revenue in the field of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and products, the most exporting sector of Southeastern Anatolia, was 2.8 billion dollars. In the region, where approximately 1 million tonnes less basic food was exported compared to the same period of the previous year, the decrease in export revenues remained at the level of 7.5 percent due to the increase in average export unit prices despite the 22.2 percent decrease in quantity. On a monthly basis, 76.7 thousand tonnes of pasta, 31.4 thousand tonnes of sunflower oil, over 13 thousand tonnes of sweet biscuits and wafers, chocolate and cocoa-containing products were exported from the region in October. The region earned 291 million dollars from total cereal exports in October.
‘The Dubai Chocolate phenomenon is a good example for all businesses’
Celal Kadooğlu, Chair of Southeastern Anatolia Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters’ Association, stated that the decline in wheat flour exports was effective in the decrease in quantity and that the increase in the average export unit prices of the region approached 19 percent.
“In the 10-month period, our total exports of sweet biscuits and wafers, chocolate and cocoa-containing products, with a total export volume of 120 thousand tonnes, brought a total of 430 million dollars to our region. The average export unit prices of these products are currently ranging between 3.5 and 4 dollars and the financial return is surging year by year. We are a region that hosts star brands in the production of these shelf products suitable for fast consumption and earns an export income of nearly 500 million dollars a year from these products,” Kadooğlu said.
“However, these values of the region should be promoted more with creative marketing activities and should be emphasised in accordance with the consumer trends in the world. The recent Dubai Chocolate phenomenon is a good example for all businesses. Gaziantep, which is a strong and highly competitive province in the production of both chocolate and pistachio and products made from pistachio, could have led this rise in the world long ago. If we can enhance the number of value-added products in the next period and promote them better to consumers abroad by using new generation communication channels such as social media, the whole world will talk about Gaziantep,” Kadooğlu explained.
‘New incentives and supports for farmers boost productivity’
Pointing out that there were disruptions in grain planting due to the decrease in precipitation this year and this situation increased the concerns of producers about agricultural productivity, Kadooğlu concluded, “Rainfall in the Southeast was 80 percent below last year in October. Seasonal rainfall, which is vital for crops, has not soared as of November. The drought, which negatively affects grain plantings, raises questions about next year’s crop. Our farmers are waiting for new incentives and loans in order to establish modern systems that save water in agricultural production. The Southeastern Anatolia Development Project (GAP) project, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, has made great contributions to the watering of agricultural lands in our region. Our state has improved very valuable projects for the development of the provinces in the region. New supports for farmers in solving the problems related to global climate change will also contribute to the efficiency of the investments made so far.”
