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Turkiye can increase its exports with the grain corridor

Safak Kirbic, Chairman of the Board of Trakya Birlik, said that Turkiye can make an important export by converting the sunflower, which is in the stocks of Ukraine, whose oil production facilities were damaged.

Safak Kirbic, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Trakya Birlik, stated that with the grain corridor agreement signed between Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the United Nations, the shipment of products waiting at the ports will begin, and that the corridor opened under the leadership of Turkiye will contribute to the access to food in the world.

Reminding that the Covid-19 epidemic process and the Ukraine-Russia War brought food access and food safety to the fore, Kirbic stated that with the opening of the grain corridor, tons of sunflowers will enter the market.

Expressing that Ukraine and Russia are the two largest sunflower producing countries in the world, Kirbic said, “Russia and Ukraine produce 60% of the world’s sunflower needs. The country with the highest production is Ukraine with 17 million tons, and Turkiye has a production amount close to 10 times. In pre-war Ukraine, sales abroad were basically forbidden, for the creation of employment and added value there. They had sales abroad as oil, but he stood still due to the bombing of oil production facilities during the war, and the reasons that would disrupt the operation in energy transmission lines.”

“We have a very high crushing capacity in sunflower”

Indicating that Turkiye has sunflower processing facilities with a high capacity, Kirbic said that it is possible to have a voice in terms of exports in the coming period.

Safak Kirbic said that there are 18 sunflower oil factories in Thrace with an annual sunflower processing capacity of 2.5 million tons.

Pointing out that Turkiye followed a very successful policy in opening the grain corridor, Kirbic made the following assessments:

“We have a very high crushing capacity in sunflower. While Europe used to supply it from Ukraine before, it can make an effort to export it from our country in this process. You know, Turkiye is the world champion in flour export, can this be in sunflower oil as well? Of course it can. Trakya Birlik has these facilities and this experience both in terms of industrialists and institutional in Turkiye. We believe that some steps will be taken. This will provide a serious gain for our country both in terms of employment and added value. At least in the coming period, I think that the problems related to its supply will disappear.”

Indicating that there may be positive developments regarding exports, Kirbic said, “There are turnover stocks in Ukraine from last year. We estimate that there are around 4-5 million tons of sunflowers. Thanks to the grain corridor, this will be transported to the countries of the world through Turkiye. Of course, Turkiye will make a study in terms of supply here. I am of the opinion that there will be no problem with sunflower in the coming period.”

Sunflower cultivation areas increased

Kirbic stated that there are only a few days left before the sunflower harvest begins in Turkiye and that an increase in yield is expected this year.

Expressing that the “meadow caterpillar” pest, which is seen in several cities, especially in Thrace, will not have a negative impact on yield and yield, Kirbic emphasized that they expect a plentiful and fertile sunflower season.

Underlining the increase in sunflower cultivation, Kirbic said, “There is a 10% increase in sunflower cultivation areas compared to previous years. It is seen that this year will be a productive and good year throughout the country. The prairie caterpillar has a great deal of damage in some local areas, but it doesn’t seem to affect the overall production too much.”

Kirbic pointed out that the 10% increase in planting is a positive development for Turkiye to meet its sunflower needs from the domestic market, and that it is possible to meet all of the country’s needs with regular increases in the coming years.

Emphasizing that the planting areas and the product obtained will increase with the support to be given to the sunflower producer, Kirbic said:

“Sunflower is a product that can be planted in all areas of our country. Currently, we are able to meet 70% of the country’s needs. This can be increased with the support provided. The farmer must earn good money from sunflower so that the earnings parity does not shift to other product patterns. Sunflower is a strategic product. We can supply other products from abroad, but in this last period, after the pandemic and the war, sunflower has brought it to the forefront.”

Source: Trthaber / Translated by Irem Yildiz

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