By Hatice Ozdemir Tosun
Türkiye’s flour sector is targeting 3 million tons in exports for this year to grab a larger share in the global market and to make up for over a quarter of the 12-million-ton global export market.
Mesut Cakmak, chair of Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Association (TUSAF/TFIF), said that despite a global trade downturn and geopolitical tensions, Türkiye’s flour sector succeeded to achieve 2.34 million tons of wheat flour exports last year.
Speaking at the organization’s recent 20th international congress in the south-western resort city of Antalya, under the theme of “Sustainable Future: Climate, Water, Agriculture,” Cakmak said the sector saw a rapid export growth in Syria, where monthly shipments rose from 18,000 tons last year to somewhere between 55,000-65,000 tons.
He said Türkiye’s strong brand reputation in the sector helps it maintain its competitive edge against major regional producers like Egypt.
The federation is projecting the total wheat production to exceed 20 million tons this year, as favorable rainfall conditions since January contributed to the optimism for domestic harvest.
Türkiye’s flour sector is preparing for a massive transformation next year, as the government will issue a new regulation to set 40% of the flour used in commercial bread production to be whole wheat to boost national nutritional standards.