Southeastern Anatolia cereal exports reach $2.2 billion

The cereals, pulses, and oilseeds sector in Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia region reached $2.2 billion in exports during the first seven months of the year, marking a 7.4% increase. The sector accounts for 31.4% of Turkey’s total cereal exports and represents 30.8% of the region's total exports, with a total volume exceeding 2.5 million tons.

Key product performance includes sunflower oil exports, which rose 26.4% to $461.5 million, and pasta exports, which grew 14.1% to $394.1 million. Major markets for these goods include the Middle East, with exports exceeding $900 million, and Africa, which saw $775.5 million in exports, a 22.4% increase.

Celal Kadooğlu, President of the GAIB Cereals Union and board member of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), noted that while the sector shows high adaptability to global uncertainties, it faces challenges. These include security risks in the Black Sea affecting raw material supply and freight costs, as well as high customs tariffs in Syria and additional banking and infrastructure costs in Iraq.