THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Hakan Sefa Çakır, Chair of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, announced that the need for investment in R&D and innovation to ensure sustainability in the province’s food industry. It was stated that Mersin is progressing toward becoming Türkiye’s food hub thanks to its agriculture-food integration and logistics superiority.
Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) Chairman Hakan Sefa Çakır stated that strong investments in R&D and innovation are necessary to ensure the region’s sustained momentum in the food industry. Speaking on a radio program, Çakır emphasized that Mersin is rapidly progressing toward becoming Türkiye’s food hub thanks to its agriculture-food integration, strong logistics infrastructure and university-industry collaborations.
Underlining that Mersin’s natural advantages in the agriculture and food industries, he said, “We are strong in citrus fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables. We are not a producer of legumes, but we are a centre where the global market is determined. Most importantly, we have integrated agriculture and industry correctly. The existence of Agropark and Food Organized Industrial Zones, strong production areas like TÜİOSB and our port and logistics advantages make Mersin stand out in this field.”
“We must produce value-added products”
Highlighting that innovation in the food sector is now imperative, he added, “Instead of selling standard lemons for 1-2 euros, we should make them more value-added and sell them for 10-50 euros. We have initiated R&D studies such as obtaining products from citrus peels and developing frozen foods. We must proceed with a focus on enhancing yields and technological transformation.”
