Turkish Exporters Seek Closer Engagement with China

Turkish exporters, seeking a larger share of China's annual USD 2.6 trillion in imports, aiming to balance foreign trade between Turkey and China and to become China's food supplier, rolled up their sleeves in 2024 to intensify contacts with China. Operating under the motto "if China is not far to buy from, it is not far to sell to," Turkish exporters made their first move in 2024 to increase exports to China. A 25-member business delegation headed by Tayfun Kılıç, Deputy General Director of Exports at the Ministry of Commerce, is conducting an intensive programme between 29 January and 1 February 2024 with Chinese counterparts to increase exports from Turkey to China. Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri Coordinator Vice President and President of Ege Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association Hayrettin Uçak and Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri General Secretary İ. Cumhur İşbırakmaz, among others in the business delegation, made their first visit to the China Food Articles, Native Products and Animal By-Products Import and Export Chamber of Commerce (CFNA). At the visit hosted by CFNA President Cao Derong, Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri Coordinator Vice President Hayrettin Uçak shared information that discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China to resume cherry exports from Turkey to the People's Republic of China, and to begin exports of citrus fruits, pomegranate, grapes, apples, figs, almonds and kiwis in addition to cherries. Noting that Turkey sent a letter to Chinese authorities in October 2023 to begin fresh fruit and vegetable exports from Turkey, Uçak said, "We are awaiting Chinese officials to come to our country to conduct inspections in orchards and facilities for the completion of procedures, to grant approval following these inspections, and for protocol terms to be determined and signed accordingly. We not only want to export fresh fruits and vegetables, but all agricultural products in which Turkey has strong production and export capacity, seafood, poultry meat and eggs, and dairy products to you in a healthy manner. If the People's Republic of China begins working with us, it will have the opportunity to provide its citizens with quality Turkish food products at affordable prices. We will also reach our goal of exporting USD 1 billion of food products to China, which imports USD 210 billion of food products annually. A win-win philosophy will come to life for both sides." Mentioning that Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri aims to establish a digital marketplace in China in 2024, Uçak said that the business delegation will exchange views with Chinese counterparts on this project, and that it will lay the groundwork for marketing activities they will conduct for the Chinese market in 2024 and subsequent years.

Turkish Business Delegation made its second visit in China contacts to the company COFCO.

The third stop for the Turkish Business Delegation in contacts to achieve more balance in foreign trade between China and Turkey was the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Speaking at the meeting, Dr. İsmail Hakkı Musa, Turkey's Ambassador to Beijing, said that Turkey wants to increase exports to China and aims for balanced foreign trade, and continued his remarks as follows: "We purchase USD 45 billion worth of goods from China. We have no objection to this, but we also want to export products to you. Turkey is a country strong in the production and export of agricultural, industrial and mining products. We desire to see Turkey's annual USD 3 billion in exports to China increase exponentially. Provide us support for the completion of fundamental agreements to increase our exports to China." Z. Shaodang, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said they are ready for all forms of cooperation with Turkey and are prepared to increase trade delegations that create ground for bilateral business-to-business (B2B) discussions in certain sectors. Shaodang stated: "Another marketing activity that Turkish companies wanting to increase their exports to China should undertake is to participate in trade fairs in China."