About Us

T urkey's food sector is quite advanced, offering a wide range of processed foodstuffs
made from . numerous agricultural products. Other related sectors, such as
the food processing industry, packaging industry, farm machinery, food processing
machinery and service seeters related to foodstuffs, are very developed because
of the central role that agriculture plays in the economy and the great
diversity of products available.
The food sector's current level of development is due to the fact that agriculture has traditionally
been an important part of the Turkish economy. Turkey's diverse climatic conditions and suitable
soils make it possible to grow a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, as well
as raising animals. Turkey is one of the few countries in the world whose agricultural production is
sufficient to meet lts own needs and is frequently referred to as the world's food warehouse. Among
the countries in the Middle East, Caucuses, Balkans and North Africa, Turkey is currently the leading
producer of agricultural products, as well as being number one in trade.
Almost every type of grain, but primarily wheat and barley, are produced here and total annual
grain production exceeds 35 million tons. Recognized as the homeland of several species of
legumes, Turkey ranks high on the list of countries that produce legumes such as chick peas and
lentils.
Thanks to the different but mild conditions that prevail in various regions of the country, Turkey
produces over 80 varieties of sub-tropical fruits and vegetables and exports approximately 50 of
these. Fresh fruits lnclude primarily grapes, watermelon/melons, apples, peaches, olives and citrus
fruits and Turkey is the globalleader in the production of hazelnuts, apricots, cherries and figs. The
most notable fresh vegetables are tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, sugar beets, tea, eggplant,
carrots, spinach and peppers. According to the annual production statistics released by the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Turkey ranks among the top ten countries
in the world in terms of the production of almost all of the primary fresh fruits and vegetables that
it grows. The export of these products obviously makes a significant contribution to Turkey's total
exports. In 2006, Turkey exported a total of approximately 4.5 billion dollars worth of fresh fruit and
vegetables. In the production of fresh fruits and vegetables, Turkish producers comply with international
standards and norms related to quality, food safety and the environment. They alsa value
certificates such as ISO 9001:2000, ISO 22000, HACCP, GAP and EUROGAP.
Animal breeding has traditionally played a central role in the agricultural sector. Turkey has an
extensive stock of cattle, sheep/goats and poultry, making Turkey a world leader in the production
animal products, such as meat, milk, eggs, cheese, wool and mohair. Turkey is alsa the world's second
largest producer of honey.
Building on the foundation of diversified agricultural products and impressive production volume,
the food processing seetar has undergone a process of rapid development due to the accelerated
industrialization and urbanizatian of recent years, increasing personal income, changing lifestyles
and tastes. This has resulted in significant advances in terms of the diversity, quality and voluma
of processed food products available to the consumer. A number of products that were not produced
locally just twenty years ago, and which were only available if imported, are today supplied
by domestic producers who offer high quality and a significant product diversity. The most rapidly
developing sub-sectors have been the frozen and canned goods as well as dried fruit and vegetable
products. Other important food products include vegetable oils, chocolate and cocoa products,
biscuits, pasta, breads, bakery and patisserie products, candies, sea products, drinking water, fruit
juices, alcoholic drinks and dairy products.
Turkey plays a central role in world markets in various food products including tomato paste,
olive oil, dried apricots, dried figs and hazelnut products. In addition to being the world's fourth
largest producer of tomato paste, Turkey is its fifth largest exporter. Turkey produces 85% of the
world's dried apricots, 55% of the dried figs, and handles 60% of the global trade of these products.
Thanks to its Mediterranean location, Turkey is alsa one of the world's leading olive oil producers.
Furthermore, Turkey is the world's largest hazelnut producer, accounting for 80% of the world's total
hazelnut exports. In 2006, Turkey's total agricultural exports exceeded 8.5 billion dollars.

Member Information

Date Joined:

2016-03-31 15:14:31