Significant Increase in Grains, Pulses and Oilseeds Exports

Ege Hububat Bakliyat Yağlı Tohumlar İhracatçıları Birliği increased its exports by 64% to USD 687 million in the January-August period of 2022. Over the 12-month period from 25 September 2021 to 24 September 2022, cereals, pulses and oilseeds exports from the Aegean region rose 70% to reach USD 981 million. Muhammet Öztürk, President of Ege Hububat Bakliyat Yağlı Tohumlar ve Mamulleri İhracatçıları Birliği, noting that the cereals, pulses and oilseeds sector has shown consistent success since the beginning of 2022, stated the following: "While we experienced export growth exceeding 60% in January and February, in recent times we have witnessed record highs reaching 200%. In the first 8 months of 2022, we raised our cereals, pulses and oilseeds exports by 64% to USD 687 million. We had signaled that we would exceed USD 1 billion in the first quarter. Over the 12-month period from 25 September 2021 to 24 September 2022, our exports rose 70% to reach USD 981 million. We continue to break records in September as well. Over a 20-day period, we achieved a 115% increase in our exports. Our cereals, pulses and oilseeds sector increased Turkey's total exports to USD 10.8 billion over the past 12 months. Over the last 12 months, our sector's share in agricultural products exports worth USD 25.1 billion rose to 43%. Turkey's facilitator role under the Grain Corridor agreement has been highly appreciated worldwide. We hope to see its positive impact on our Turkish cereals, pulses and oilseeds sector in the coming period."

Oilseeds lead with 248% growth

Öztürk stated that they exported to 146 countries and regions in the January-August period of 2022, noting that vegetable oil exports, which account for 57% of the Aegean region's cereals, pulses and oilseeds exports, reached USD 397 million with a 69% increase. "In the 8-month period, oilseeds, which experienced the highest growth, achieved exports of USD 87 million with a 248% increase. Meals and animal feed brought USD 77 million to our country with a 74% momentum. In food preparations, we reached USD 27 million with a 35% increase, chocolate confectionery products totaled USD 25 million, processed cereal products reached USD 23 million with a 43% increase. Milling products accounted for USD 16 million in exports, spice exports for USD 14 million. Our cereals exports in the 8-month period amounted to USD 8 million with a 34% increase, while sugar confectionery products exports realized as USD 5 million with a 13% increase."

Stating that market concentration lies in North African and Asia-Oceania countries, Muhammet Öztürk continued:

"Our top 5 countries, accounting for half of our exports, are: Algeria with USD 91 million at 145% growth, Libya with USD 79 million at 68% growth, India, the largest export market for Turkish white poppy seeds, with USD 79 million following the opening of the quota, Tunisia with USD 61 million at 165% growth, and Egypt with USD 39 million at 333% growth. Djibouti with USD 23 million at 109% growth, Germany with USD 20 million at 25% growth, and our exports to Russia reached USD 17 million with an 844% increase. We exported USD 17 million to Israel at 13% growth and USD 16 million to the United States at 45% growth."

Far East market as target

Öztürk stated: "In the new era where the world will be shaped through food technology, Turkey has the capacity, knowledge and experience to process, package and brand its agricultural products to reach the value-added position it deserves. Our TURQUALITY projects and efforts to develop the Turkish brand image continue. Within the TURQUALITY project launched by food unions under the Aegean Exporters Associations (EİB) to increase exports of Turkish food products to the US market, we introduced Turkish flavors to America. We ensured that Turkish cuisine entered the curriculum at Las Vegas University for a 5-year period. We aim for a sharp increase in exports of Turkish food products to the US, an important target market for our sector. Additionally, in the near future, through training programs that will raise our members' awareness of e-commerce and digital marketing strategies developed specifically for China, we aim to become more recognized in the Far East market," he said.

250 European spice traders to meet in Bodrum

Muhammet Öztürk, stating that as two exporter unions under the EİB umbrella, they will host the European Spice Association General Assembly in Bodrum on 5-8 October, said: "We will be hosting the European Spice Association General Assembly for the first time in 12 years. We will welcome 250 business leaders who shape the spice sector in Europe to Turkey. We believe that the business relationships established at this event will contribute to the increase in our export figures," he concluded.