Browse Data and Analysis

Turkey published its Biosafety Law and implementing regulations in 2010. This legislation has continued to disrupt trade and Turkey’s domestic agriculture and food sectors. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the sole authority for biotechnology approvals. The Ministry approved seven genetically engineered soybean and corn events in 2022.

Owing to favorable growing conditions and ongoing investments to improve on-farm yields, Turkey’s production and export of apples, pears, and table grapes is forecast at or near record levels in MY 2022/23. At least 80 percent of the projected production of these deciduous fruits will be consumed in Turkey, mainly as fresh fruit.

Turkey recently announced that the tariff on imported sunflowerseed would increase from zero to 5 percent from October 27 through the end of 2022. This revision coincides with Turkey’s sunflowerseed harvest.

Owing to improved weather conditions, grain production in Turkey in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 is projected to increase year-over-year to 17.3 million metric tons (MMT). Wheat, barley, corn, and rice production are individually projected higher from last year which was hit by intense dry weather.

Turkey’s HRI sector, which continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now grappling with rising inflation and economic uncertainty. Persistent inflation has eroded consumers’ buying power, causing them to switch to cheaper dining-out options, such as fast food and street stalls.

With favorable weather conditions and an expansion in the area harvested, Turkey’s sunflowerseed production is forecast to hit a record of 1.9 million metric tons (MMT) in marketing year (MY) 2022/23. Production of sunflower meal and oil are likewise projected at record highs.

Good weather conditions and an “on-year” for production will push Turkey's pistachio production higher in MY 2022/23. The production of almonds and hazelnuts is likewise forecast higher, while walnut production is expected to remain steady.

Turkey’s sugar beet production is forecast at 21.5 million metric tons (MMT) in MY 2022/23 and is expected to result in 3.05 MMT of sugar. The quotas for MY 2022/23 were announced on March 20, 2022 by a presidential decree as 2.68 MMT for sugar beets and 68.75 MT for starch-based sugar. On May 27, 2022, the tariff quota for sugar imports was released via communiqué as 400,000 MT

This report provides updated information on the status of Turkey’s export ban on certain agricultural exports since the beginning of 2022. The government's intent behind the ban is to stabilize the supplies of specific products to help alleviate rising food inflation. The export ban on some products, like olive oil and most vegetable oils, have been lifted. However, a ban remains in effect for select staples, such as red meat, some pulses, and sunflower oil.

Attractive cotton prices, good yields, and favorable weather conditions spurred Turkish farmers to plant more cotton earlier this spring. Owing to a larger than expected increase in cotton plantings, production in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 is forecast higher at 950,000 metric tons (MT).

In 2023, chicken meat production in Turkey is estimated to increase 9 percent to 2.68 million metric tons (MMT) due to continuing export demands and slightly higher domestic consumption. In 2023, domestic chicken meat consumption is forecast at 1.7 MMT which is 5 percent higher than 2022 but under sector hopes, mostly due to expected continued high poultry meat prices at retail outlets that are unlikely to change in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election.

Many Turkish cattle farmers are struggling to make ends meet because input costs, especially feed, are increasing at a faster pace than farmgate prices for carcass meat and milk. As a result, many farmers are cutting their losses and sending their animals to slaughter earlier than normal. This trend is expected to continue into 2023 as economic conditions in the country remain bleak.