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This report focuses specifically on Turkey’s production of sultana raisins, which are a dried seedless grape variety indigenous to the Aegean region of Turkey and are grown mostly in the regions of Manisa, Izmir, and Denizli.

The total cherry production forecast in Turkey in Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 is 980,000 metric tons (MT), which is 14 percent more than MY 2021/2022, due to the favorable weather conditions and improved yields this year. The peach and nectarine production forecast for MY 2022/23 is 940,000 around six percent more than MY 2021/22, again due to no frost damage and enough rainfall for this year's crop.

The wheat and barley harvest is continuing in Turkey, approximately two weeks behind the normal harvest schedule this year. Wheat production is forecast at 17.25 Million Metric Tons (MMT), and barley production is forecast at 7.4 MMT in Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23. The first corn crop planting finished with total corn production forecast at 6.2 MMT.

Since February 2022, Turkey has applied an export ban to more than a dozen agricultural products, including vegetable oils, meat, pulses, and some dairy products. On June 26th, the ban on butter exports was replaced with a monthly quota, and on July 7th, the ban on olive oil exports was removed.

Turkey has a young population of 85 million people. The country is in a Customs Union with the EU, has free trade agreements with EFTA and 22 other countries (excluding the U.S.), and is the 23rd largest economy in the world. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts Turkey’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 3.2 percent between 2022 and 2026.

Food inflation in Turkey is the highest it has been in decades. Average food prices in May were up 92 percent from a year ago. One of the leading reasons behind higher food prices is the rising cost of on-farm inputs, such as fuel, fertilizer, and feed.

This report outlines specific requirements for food and agricultural products to be imported into Turkey and was prepared by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Office of Agricultural Affairs in Ankara, Turkey for U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products.

This 2022 Food and Agriculture Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Export Certificate Report for Turkey lists the major export certificates and other requirements expected by the Turkish government for food and agricultural products imports to Turkey.

Turkey’s citrus production for MY 2021/22 is forecasted up year-over-year in large part due to improved weather conditions compared to the previous year’s hot weather. While production is up, growers are seeing profit margins shrink as input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer, increase at a faster clip than farm gate prices.

This report provides an update on Turkey’s export ban on select agricultural products to stabilize local market conditions and keep food prices from running higher.

On April 27, 2022, the Turkish Government published new Biosafety Decision approvals for the import of genetically engineered (GE) soybean and corn. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) approved two new soybean events and two new corn events for feed and cancelled the approvals of three corn events and one soybean event.

In response to an increase in the seasonal sugar beet purchase price, farmers are expected to plant more beets in MY 2022/23. In parallel with expanded plantings, beet sugar production in MY 2022/23 is forecast up year-over-year to 3.1 million metric tons (MMT).