Exponential Growth For Turkey’s Food Sector

For decades Turkey has had its sights firmly set on Europe, with specific hopes to become a member state of the European Union.

Jane Craigie recently visited Turkey as part of an International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ media tour organised by the Turkey’s Guild of Agricultural Journalists.

 

For decades Turkey has had its sights firmly set on Europe, with specific hopes to become a member state of the European Union. The Syrian refugee crisis is adding weight to its negotiating position, after Turkey’s President, Recep Tayip Erdogan, agreed to process migrants returned from EU countries, relieving some of the burden being felt by many countries on the continent. 

Turkey’s plans for EU accession are intelligent and strategic, with investment being made into many industries, including significant policy shifts to benefit the food and farming sector, and to ensure its outputs meet EU standards.  

Turkey’s national exports grew by 325% between 2002-2012 to a current value of $143 billion USD. Its top three export countries are Germany, the UK and Iraq. The EU as a whole is its largest export market.

Turkey ranks number eight in the world for food production; understandable given its climate, which is perfect for producing a huge variety of crops and livestock. Food accounts for just over 15% of its exports; the main outputs being cereals and pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables, dried and processed fruit, nuts and oils.