Browse Data and Analysis

Turkey’s production of wheat, corn, barley and rice in MY 2022/23 are all forecast higher compared to the previous year.

On December 30, 2022, the Turkish Government published a Biosafety Decision to reapprove the import of a genetically engineered (GE) stacked corn event, NK603 X MON 810, for feed. In a separate government action, the single event MON 810 was canceled due to a recent court decision. With these latest changes, the total number of approved GE events remains at 36.

Turkiye is among the world’s leading economies and home to a young, mostly urban population of 85 million people. This dynamic has fueled the country’s rising demand for consumer-oriented agricultural products.

On April 27, 2022, the Turkish Government published new Biosafety Decision approvals for the import of genetically engineered (GE) soybean and corn. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF) approved two new soybean events and two new corn events for feed and cancelled the approvals of three corn events and one soybean event.

In response to an increase in the seasonal sugar beet purchase price, farmers are expected to plant more beets in MY 2022/23. In parallel with expanded plantings, beet sugar production in MY 2022/23 is forecast up year-over-year to 3.1 million metric tons (MMT).

With improved weather conditions, wheat, barley, and rice production are forecast to increase in MY 2022/23. In contrast, corn production is forecast down as farmers switch to other more profitable crops. Overall grain production in MY 2022/23 will be influenced by rising input costs, which the Turkish government is trying to offset with higher support payments for fertilizer and diesel.

Post estimates cattle numbers in 2022 are expected to stagnate with 18 million head, including buffaloes, due to slow population growth rate, low raw milk prices, and an increasing number of cows being sent to slaughter because of high feed prices, despite government incentives.

Turkey’s cotton production in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 is forecast to increase to 925,000 metric tons (MT) (4.2 million bales) based on the assumption that farmers will plant more cotton in response to strong cotton prices. Growing demand for textiles and apparel is expected to push MY 2022/23 cotton consumption higher to 1.9 million MT (8.7 million bales).