Turkey Conducts Critical Agricultural Diplomacy with Three Countries
· AA Yeşil Hat
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has initiated strategic diplomatic talks focused on fertilizers, grains, and exports with Russia, China, and Uzbekistan to mitigate global supply risks.
In the face of global geopolitical risks and logistical disruptions, Turkey is pursuing multifaceted diplomacy to safeguard its agricultural supply chain. Following engagements by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, discussions with Russia addressed fertilizer, citrus, and tomato trade. While common coordination was established for the passage of export tomatoes waiting at the border and for plant health quarantine processes, it was decided that no restrictions would be imposed on fertilizer shipments to Turkey this year. Delegations from both countries will meet again in Turkey on October 25 to detail fertilizer supply arrangements.
Access to the Asian market for Turkish agricultural products was a key topic in the meetings held with the Chinese delegation, forming another crucial pillar of agricultural diplomacy. During the discussions at the Ministry, the goal was set to increase exports of almonds, bay leaves, poultry, and aquatic products. Evaluating the bilateral contacts, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following statement regarding the process:
Minister Yumaklı emphasized that food and agricultural trade between Turkey and China will continue to strengthen.
Minister Yumaklı is traveling to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, on September 28-29, within the scope of changing grain routes in the Black Sea basin. Critical discussions will be held with flour industrialists and grain sector representatives at the 5th IAOM Eurasia Conference and Exhibition in Tashkent. Regional grain corridors will be evaluated with Uzbekistan, which holds a strategic position with its Kazakh wheat and milling capacity. Through bilateral contacts that Yumaklı will conduct on the sidelines of the conference, the aim is to consolidate the raw material supply security of the Turkish flour industry and its share in international flour trade.