THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forestry Products Exporters’ Association and the European Commission Directorate General for Health and Food Safety and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials from Ankara exchanged views on the spice sector within the scope of EU harmonisation studies.
“We are very happy with the co-operation and constructive approach of the European Commission”
Kazım Gürel, Board Member of the Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forestry Products Exporters’ Association, stated that the cooperation and constructive approach of the European Commission made them very happy.
“In order for our sectors to be minimally affected by the regulations of the EU Green Deal, many investments need to be realised, technical capacities and infrastructures need to be developed. In co-operation with the EU, we will inform our farmers with Good Agricultural Practices by benefiting from their knowledge and experience and we will solve our common problems in a transparent manner,” Gürel said.
Pointing out that Aegean Region is a region where sectoral diversity and richness is at its peak, Gürel explained, “We are a strong player in the world in dried fruits, products, olive-olive oil, aquaculture, spices, tobacco, non-wood forest products and organic production. We are the world’s first producer of oregano, laurel leaves, apricots, cherries, sour cherries, figs and hazelnuts. We are the second producer in the world in strawberries, melons, watermelon and honey. We are among the top 5 producers of olives, tangerines, tomatoes, grapes, apples, chestnuts, peppers, lentils and chickpeas.”
“We maintain our leadership as the world’s agricultural warehouse Aegean Region“
Highlighting that more than 4 thousand 500 agricultural products are produced across Türkiye, Gürel emphasized, “As the Aegean Region, the agricultural warehouse of the world, we maintained our leadership in 2023. This positive trend continues in 2024. Türkiye exported 15 billion dollars worth of agricultural exports with an increase of 7 percent in the January-May period of 2024. Aegean Exporters’ Associations’ (EIB) agricultural exports rose by 3 percent to 3.1 billion dollars. We are struggling together as producers, exporters, universities and ministries to protect our export markets, especially the EU and to create new market opportunities with quality production without residues.”
“On the other hand, as EIB, we are working to improve our international competitiveness with 13 TURQUALITY Projects, 11 Development of International Competitiveness Projects, National Participation Organisation to 13 Fairs, sectoral trade delegations to many parts of the world, procurement delegations, EU Projects, University-Industry collaborations,” Gürel added…
