TUSAF: We are targeting over 1.5 billion dollars of export revenue

August 20, 2024 - While grain purchases continue, it was announced that the import ban on wheat will last until October 15. Evaluating the ban, Haluk Tezcan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkish Flour Industrialists Federation (TUSAF), underlined that it is aimed at protecting the interests of producers and serves the development of the industry with domestic products.

Turkish Grain Board General Directorate continues grain purchases at more than 600 points across the country. In June, the base price of wheat was determined by TMO as 11 thousand TL per tonne including the difference payment. Wheat producers bring their products to Turkish Grain Board centres by making an appointment. Afterwards, the samples taken are analysed and the moisture, protein and hectolitre (the measure used to classify wheat in wheat standards) values of the product are determined.

Starting on June 21, the wheat import ban will last until October 15. Turkish Grain Board underlines that the wheat import ban is a measure to protect the interests of producers. On the other hand, the international public opinion is assessing that Russia, to which Turkey exports the most wheat, will be affected by the import ban.

“In the first 5 months of the year, we exported nearly 604 million dollars”

Commenting on the wheat procurement process and the import ban, Haluk Tezcan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TUSAF, said: "The import restriction also paves the way for more utilisation of the product in the hands of our producers. Thus, we process our domestic wheat in our domestic industry. TMO purchased 13.5 million tonnes of wheat last year and continues to purchase intensively this year. We also anticipate that our industrialists will make more purchases with the import restriction."

Emphasising that they have been the export leader in the world for years, Tezcan said, "In the first five months of the year, we exported close to 604 million dollars. We aim to exceed 1.5 billion dollars by the end of 2024. In the first 6 months of 2024, we exported 1 million 800 thousand tonnes between January 1 - June 30 and achieved an increase of approximately 15 percent compared to the same period last year (this figure was 1 million 559 thousand in the first 6 months of 2023). Based on the first five months, our export amount increased by approximately 25 percent compared to last year.

"While this increase rate decreased to 15 percent due to the effects experienced in the sector in June, our exports, which were 287 thousand tonnes in the same month of last year, decreased significantly to 185 thousand tonnes due to the wheat import ban imposed on June 6 and the 9-day holiday. With the completion of the harvest in our country in July, this figure will be slightly higher if our industrialists do not have any problems in terms of supply. As of June 21, we will be able to see the effects of the wheat import restriction more clearly."

7.2 tonnes exported in the first seven months

Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) announced the export data including July. The total exports of the cereals, pulses, oil seeds and products sector, which includes basic food products such as biscuits, wheat flour, vegetable oils, sugary and cocoa products and pasta, totalled 6.8 billion dollars at the end of the first seven months of the year. The amount of exports reached 7.2 million tonnes in this period.

The Global Miller
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