Surpassing $17.5 Billion, Turkiye’s Agriculture Export Reaches All-Time High Amid Global Geopolitical Risks and Food Supply Challenges
Turkiye’s agriculture sector has achieved an unprecedented export milestone in the first half of the year, reaching $17.5 billion from January to June. Despite the geopolitical risks and global food supply challenges that characterized this period, Turkiye’s agricultural exports have soared to new heights.
According to data compiled from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), Turkiye’s total exports in the first half of the year increased by 2% compared to the same period last year, rising to $125.4 billion. Within this period, the agriculture sector alone recorded its highest-ever first-half export figure, with a 5.4% increase from the previous year.
Five out of ten sectors within agriculture broke export records in the first half. Grain, pulses, oilseeds, and their products led the way with $5.9 billion in exports, followed by fresh fruits and vegetables at $1.7 billion, fruit and vegetable products at $1.3 billion, dried fruits and products at $829.5 million, and aquaculture and animal products at $1.8 billion.
On an annual basis, there was a notable increase in exports across these sectors: 6.9% for grains, pulses, oilseeds, and products; 1.3% for fresh fruits and vegetables; 20.2% for fruit and vegetable products; 14.7% for dried fruits and products; and 9.2% for aquaculture and animal products.
Sector and Regional Export Highlights
The grain sector’s exports to Iraq topped the list with $1.1 billion. The fresh fruits and vegetables sector saw Russia as the leading importer with $436.6 million. The United States was the top destination for fruit and vegetable products, with exports reaching $208.8 million. Germany led in dried fruits and products, importing $105.8 million, while Iraq was the largest market for aquaculture and animal products, with $302.8 million.
Regionally, Istanbul contributed significantly with $1.7 billion in grain, pulses, oilseeds, and products exports, along with $364.4 million in fruit and vegetable products. Mersin exported $429 million in fresh fruits and vegetables, Izmir shipped $283.5 million in dried fruits and products, and Muğla exported $385.3 million in aquaculture and animal products.
This record-breaking performance in agriculture underscores Turkiye’s resilience and strategic importance in the global agricultural market, even in the face of significant international challenges.
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz