
Chairman of the Turkish Food Industry Employers’ Association (TÜGIS), Kaan Sidar, announced that Turkey’s food industry achieved a remarkable market size of approximately $160 billion in 2024. Speaking on the organization’s initiatives, Sidar emphasized their pioneering efforts to promote equitable food distribution and reduce food waste. “Despite global climate change continuing to affect productivity in 2024, we tackled the industry’s challenges by bringing together food ecosystem stakeholders through events like the Food Ethics Seminar, Sustainable Food Summit, and webinars,” he stated.
Sidar also highlighted TÜGIS’s role in labor relations, noting, “As a leading representative of next-generation active employer unionism, we conducted negotiations on behalf of our members in 18 collective labor agreements.”
“Climate Change Continues to Impact Productivity”
Reflecting on the past year, Sidar acknowledged that the food sector faced economic difficulties and adverse climate conditions affecting agriculture. “Global warming has caused fluctuations in agricultural productivity worldwide and in Turkey. FAO data shows that climate-driven productivity losses have exerted upward pressure on food prices. On the other hand, while the supply chain recovery that began in 2023 continued partially in 2024, high global interest rates and geopolitical tensions increased investment costs, limiting new investments in agricultural production and the food industry,” he said.
$25 Billion in Exports Despite Global Challenges
Sidar noted that Turkey’s food industry maintained its export potential thanks to its wide product range and strategic location. “With nearly $25 billion in exports in 2024, the food sector reaffirmed its status as a key driver of Turkey’s economy. Moving forward, the industry needs investment incentives to adopt technological innovations, expand production capacity, and strengthen its competitiveness in international markets. Additionally, access to affordable financing will be critical. It is important for the central government to continue providing supportive incentives,” he added.
“Collaborating with Food Ecosystem Stakeholders”
TÜGIS took a leading role in projects aimed at ensuring equitable food distribution and minimizing waste. Sidar stressed the importance of sustainability at every stage of the food supply chain, from farm to table. “Sustainability is essential to providing future generations with access to a secure and fair food system. Through events like the Food Ethics Seminar, Sustainable Food Summit, and webinars, we brought together food ecosystem stakeholders to address industry challenges,” he explained.
“Combating Misinformation Will Continue”
Sidar also emphasized the importance of fighting misinformation, particularly on social media, by providing consumers with scientific facts about food. “In 2024, we will continue our efforts through the TÜGIS Scientific Board. Educating consumers about product content, processing technologies, packaging, and storage will enable them to make informed choices and disregard misleading claims,” he said.
“An Active Problem-Solver for the Sector”
As a representative of active employer unionism, TÜGIS played a crucial role in fostering constructive dialogues between employers, workers, and government entities to resolve industry issues. Sidar remarked that TÜGIS actively participated in collective bargaining processes for major food companies and held discussions with industrial and trade chambers as well as government ministries to address the sector’s concerns.
“Raising Awareness About Food Adulteration and Fraud”
Sidar underscored the importance of ethical production, sustainability, and consumer health. “Food adulteration and fraud, driven by cost-cutting motives and insufficient inspections, pose direct threats to public health and the environment. Both the public and private sectors must remain committed to enforcing strict regulations and deterrent penalties,” he concluded.
Source: Foreks/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök