THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Turkey announced the elimination of tariffs on some pulses and grains. According to a Presidential
Decree published in the Official Gazette on September 8, 2021, the import tariffs on chickpeas, lentils,
and wheat, rye, barley, oats, and sorghum (only seed for sewing) are reduced to zero until December 31,
2021.
In the last several years, Turkey has struggled with food inflation amid insufficient domestic production of staple grains. The causes of this deficiency can be attributed mainly due to drought, a serious increase
in international commodity prices, and the Turkish Lira’s depreciation against other currencies. The cost of imported goods has been increasing in Turkey, which has had large effects on domestic food and feed prices as well. As a measure against food inflation, Turkey has often eliminated or reduced its tariff rates on agricultural commodes in recent years.
According to a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette on September 8, 2021, Turkey
announced the elimination of tariffs on chickpeas (HS 0713.20.00.00.19); lentils (red – HS
0713.40.00.00.00.13, green – HS 0713.40.00.00.00.12, others – HS 0713.40.00.00.00.19); and wheat,
rye, barley, oats, and sorghum seed for sowing (1209.29.80.00.16). The new zero tariffs are valid
between September 08, 2021 and December 31, 2021. As of January 1, 2022, the tariffs will revert back
to the former levels, which range from 19.3-130 percent, depending on the commodity.
Turkey also announced additional support payments for farmers. According to a Presidential Decree
published in the Official Gazette on September 1, 2021, new support payments to registered farmers
who produce grains and pulses in unirrigated areas and have lost 30 percent or great of their crops due to
insufficient rain and drought will be issued. The amount of support varies between 300 TL/hectare ($35)
and 1,000 ($118) TL/ha according to the yield losses.
Source: USDA / Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
