THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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The heartbeat of the milling industry was felt strongly over the past weeks at two pivotal Events in Türkiye: the congress organized by the Turkish National Grain Council (UHK) in Mardin and the conference hosted by the Turkish Grain Suppliers Association (HUBUDER) in Ankara. As the media partner of both events, Miller Magazine had the opportunity to observe how discussions went far beyond “grain” — encompassing everything from production and foreign trade to sustainability and strategic planning. In a period when concerns about production, pressure for efficiency, and tension in exports all converge, these gatherings are no longer mere sectoral routines — they have become strategic platforms.
UHK Chairman Özkan Taşpınar’s statement in Mardin — “The problem in grain reflects the structural problems in agriculture as a whole” — was a striking and accurate observation. We are facing not only drought, but also producer uncertainty, export barriers, and shifting dynamics in global markets. As emphasized by Mehmet Mesut Çakmak, Chairman of the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (Türkiye Un Sanayicileri Federasyonu), Turkish flour exports in particular are undergoing a significant test. Most of Turkey’s 430 operational flour mills are running below capacity — and regrettably, some have had to halt operations altogether.
At the HUBUDER conference in Ankara, speakers drew attention to how yield losses, declining exports and rising costs are putting pressure on every link in the supply chain, from farmer to processor. One key message stood out: The era of price-based competition is ending. It is being replaced by a new model of competitiveness — one built on functionality, differentiation, and trust. This new mindset may well serve as a guiding light in both product development and in the global marketplace.
Together, these two events offered both a warning and a roadmap. The warning is clear: the milling industry must reassess its habits, assumptions, and competitive paradigms. The roadmap is equally explicit: strategic planning, robust public-private collaboration, investment in functional products, strong data systems, and modern logistics infrastructure.
Today, productivity is no longer measured solely in tons per hectare. It is also gauged by profitability, effective policy, and bold decisions. The insight I gathered in Mardin and Ankara shows that such boldness is possible. Now, we must nourish this courage with sustainable policies, data-driven actions, and collective intelligence.
Preserving the fertility of these lands is not only the farmer’s duty — it is a shared responsibility of millers, industrialists, and policymakers alike. The messages rising from Mardin and Ankara will shape not just the present but also the future of our sector. And at Miller Magazine, we remain committed to being the voice of this transformation journey.
By Namık Kemal Parlak,
The Miller Magazine
