Southeast Grain Exports Reach $2.2 Billion
· AA Tarım & Ekonomi
Southeast Anatolia's seven-month grain exports hit $2.2 billion, with sunflower oil and pasta shipments being the sector's main drivers.
Sunflower Oil and Pasta Lead Exports
According to data from the Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Associations, the region's grain exports reached $2.2 billion in the 7-month period. The sector, which constitutes 30.8% of the total regional exports, held a 31.4% share in Turkey's overall grain exports. During this period, out of over 2.5 million tons of products exported, 736,000 tons were pasta, 467,000 tons were wheat flour, and 280,000 tons were sunflower oil. In terms of revenue, sunflower oil exports increased by 26.4% to $461.5 million, and pasta exports rose by 14.1% to $394.1 million.
Strong Market Position and Logistics Emphasis
Exports to the Middle East, one of the region's main markets, surpassed the $900 million mark, while shipments to the African market increased by 22.4% to reach $775.5 million. Celal Kadooğlu, Board Member of TIM and Chairman of the GAIB Pulses and Legumes Union, emphasized the importance of an uninterrupted supply chain to ensure food security in the near geography. Kadooğlu also noted that policies reducing the freight disadvantage arising from the distance to ports and effective state support would enhance international competitiveness.