This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 6/17/2019

Overview

Turkey’s agricultural economy is among the top ten in the world, with half of the country consisting of agricultural land and nearly a quarter of the population employed in agriculture.  Turkey is a major producer of wheat, sugar beets, milk, poultry, cotton, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables, and is the top producer in the world for apricots and hazelnuts.  As inputs to animal feed for its meat and rapidly growing poultry sector, Turkey import oilseeds, including soybeans and meals, as well as grain products.  Turkey also imports additional cotton as an input for its advanced textile sector, and inputs for its food processing and bakery sector.

Turkey is an important tourism destination with opportunities for U.S. exporters in the HRI (Hotel, Restaurant, Institutional) sector.   The Turkish retail food sector continued to grow in 2018, with the organized retail sector split evenly between traditional small grocery stores and modern retail chains, with a new emphasis on deep discount stores.  The young and growing population provides opportunities for growth and new product introductions.  Turkey has a well-developed food processing sector that is producing for the Turkish market and exporting regionally. 

Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Forestry
 

 

2016

2017

2018

2019 estimated*

Total Local Production

53,412

51,781

42,177*

45,376

Total Exports

16,400

17,245

18,048

18,500

Total Imports

13,945

15,741

15,340

14,900

Imports from the US

1,483

1,808

1,620

1,600

Total Market Size

50,957

50,277

39,469

41,776

Exchange Rates

3.02

3.65

4.80

5.80

(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Notes: Units are in $ millions of USD; 2019* is an estimation; and 2018 local production actually increased from 2017 in Turkish Lira terms, but in USD terms is lower than 2017;  2018* final year figures are estimated for the total local production number as latest data was not available at time of publication.
Source: Turkish Statistical Institute and Global Trade Atlas:
http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreIstatistikTablo.do?istab_id=2513
http://www.bumko.gov.tr/TR,150/doviz-kurlari.html

Leading Sub-Sectors

Feed inputs to Turkey’s meat and poultry sector, as well as cotton for the textile sector are the key opportunities for U.S. exports, as well as tree nuts, such as almonds and walnuts.  Turkey’s textile industry remains vital to its economy in terms of investment, employment and exports.  U.S. cotton has a very good reputation in Turkey, which is reflected in the continued high U.S. market share.  Turkey is expected to remain a significant importer in the coming years due to the quality of U.S. cotton.  Total Turkish imports of U.S. cotton were valued at $682 million in 2018.

Turkey’s growing poultry sector is dependent on soybeans and other imported feed ingredients.  The poultry and feed industry have been investing in modern crushing facilities and is continuing to expand its capacities.  While domestic poultry consumption is increasing, so are new export markets such as Iraq and other neighboring countries, which will further increase the demand for soybeans and protein feed sources by Turkey’s feed industry.  The U.S. continues to be one of the leading suppliers of soybeans for the Turkish market; however, regulations on biotechnology have interfered with the market periodically since October 2009.  In 2018, total U.S. exports of soybeans and soybean meal were worth $80 million. There are also opportunities in supplying tree nuts, rice, pulses, and hardwood lumber products, as well as consumer oriented and functional food products.

Opportunities

For opportunities to enter the Turkish market, it is recommended that exporters review reports in the relevant sectors produced by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Office in Turkey, noted below under Web Resources.  Turkey’s young and growing population, as well as growing regional exports of flour, poultry, and processed food provide opportunities for U.S. exporters to provide inputs.  All reports can be found on the FAS Global Agricultural Information Network search page.

Web Resources

For additional information on accessing opportunities in the Turkish food and agriculture sector, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Services produces a number of helpful reports with market information and details. Start with the Exporter Guide to Turkey, as well as the Turkish Retail Food Sector Report, Food Processing Ingredients Report, and Hotel, Restaurant and Food Service Sector Report. For sector specific reports on commodities, our latest reporting on the feed and grain sectors, the livestock and poultry sectors, and the cotton sector can always be found on the FAS Global Agricultural Information Network search page.

Turkey can be a complex market for food and agricultural products, so it is imperative to understand import requirements and have a reliable and experienced partner in Turkey.  Additional information can be found in the FAS Food and Agriculture Import Regulations and Standards Country Report for Turkey, and by contacting the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Turkey.  Turkey’s Foods Foreign Trade Association (TUGIDER) may be contacted to get information on potential local representatives in Turkey as it represents the major food importers in Turkey.  Food trade shows in Turkey can be helpful to visit, such as Anfas Food Products, World Food Istanbul, and Food Ingredients Fi Istanbul, to meet importers and assess the market before trying to enter.

Foreign Agricultural Service
U.S. Embassy Ankara
agankara@fas.usda.gov

 

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.