Agriculture and Forestry Ministry Discusses Agriculture with EU

November 3, 2026 · Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı

Turkish and European Union delegations met in Ankara to evaluate food supply security, rural development funds, and bilateral trade volume. It was announced during the meeting that Turkey-EU agricultural trade reached $11.4 billion.

High-Level Agriculture Summit in Ankara

The 3rd Meeting of the Turkey-EU High-Level Agricultural Dialogue was held, hosted by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works. Speaking at the end of the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that food supply security, rural development policies, and agricultural trade were negotiated between the delegations. During the meeting, the parties also comprehensively discussed the current status and future of the IPARD Program. Minister Yumaklı expressed his desire for the agricultural dialogue between Turkey, as a candidate country, and the European Union to continue uninterruptedly with a constructive and results-oriented approach.

Global Geopolitical Pressure on Food Supply

Minister Yumaklı highlighted that geopolitical tensions and conflicts in the region are creating significant pressure on global supply chains, emphasizing the importance of protecting production infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's assessment, climate change, water stress, and extreme weather events are directly challenging agricultural production systems. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı pointed to the importance of institutional cooperation between the two sides, stating:

'Strengthening this cooperation is not just a preference but a strategic necessity for supporting regional stability and common prosperity.'

Yumaklı touched upon Turkey's active role in the global food crisis, recalling that over 33 million tons of grain and essential food products have been safely delivered to world markets through the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Significant Increase in Agricultural Trade Volume

Sharing official data on agricultural product trade between Turkey and the EU, Minister Yumaklı noted that agricultural exports to the EU reached $8.3 billion in 2025. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry data, the bilateral agricultural trade volume in the first 9 months of 2026 increased by 10.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching approximately $11.4 billion. During the meeting, the development of the preferential trade regime and mutual market access conditions were discussed. Yumaklı also announced that they have obtained EU registration for 28 products in the last 3 years, bringing the total number of registered products to 46, with 8 more products in the final registration process.

IPARD Program's Balance Sheet in Rural Development

Minister Yumaklı stated that IPARD projects are the most concrete aspect of joint work in rural areas, drawing attention to the economic volume created by the grants and financial support provided. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı expressed the on-the-ground results of the program with the following words:

'Approximately 27,000 projects have been supported under these programs to date, bringing 3.4 billion euros in investment to our economy and creating employment opportunities for over 107,000 citizens.'

The data provided by the Ministry revealed that investments in rural areas form the fundamental basis for production capacity, and it was stated at the meeting that the scope of financial cooperation needs to be strengthened.

Common Goals for the Future Period

In the current process where the European Union is planning its 2028-2034 Common Agricultural Policy, a request was made to increase the rural funds allocated to Turkey. Yumaklı stated that with expanded resources, young farmers, women entrepreneurs, and rural businesses would be more strongly supported. Yumaklı conveyed that Turkey is resolutely pursuing its production planning and water efficiency reforms, and expects the country's agricultural steps to be fairly represented in the upcoming 2026 Turkey Report.

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