Union of Agricultural Chambers of Turkey (TZOB) President Semsi Bayraktar stated that Turkey ranks first in the world in many agricultural products, especially vegetables and fruits, and stands out with its product diversity and said, “We are in the top 4 in the production of 19 agricultural products in the world.”
Bayraktar made a statement on the occasion of “Attitude, Investment and Turkish Goods Week” and said that in the past years, the importance of producing, consuming what is produced in Turkey and introducing what is produced to the whole world was emphasized more during the domestic goods week.
Pointing out that countries are practicing food nationalism, Bayraktar said: “While the strategic importance of food and agricultural products is increasing all over the world, access to food is becoming more difficult day by day. The United Nations announced that approximately 783 million people around the world were struggling with hunger in 2022. It is estimated that due to climate change caused by global warming, grain prices are likely to increase by up to 29 percent in 2050 and in this case, millions of people around the world will face the risk of hunger.”
Stating that in addition to the reality of hunger that cannot be eradicated, there are also food losses and waste, Bayraktar reported that 1 billion tons of food, which corresponds to approximately 17 percent of the food offered to consumers worldwide, is thrown away.
Bayraktar shared the following information on Turkey’s position in global agricultural production: “We are in the top 4 in the production of 19 agricultural products in the world. Our country ranks first in the world in many agricultural products, especially vegetables and fruits, and stands out with its product diversity. Turkey ranks first in the world in the production of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots and quince; second in the world in the production of apples, pistachios, watermelons, melons, cucumbers and carob; and third in the world in the production of tangerines, strawberries, pears and cherries. It is in the top 10 in world production in many other products. We are the world leader in the export of hazelnuts, dried apricots, dried figs and chickpeas.”
