Turkey faces high lentil import dependency

Turkey has become heavily dependent on imported lentils due to agricultural policy issues, according to CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer. Over the last seven years, the country has imported approximately 4.46 million tons of red and green lentils, resulting in a foreign exchange expenditure of nearly $2.9 billion.

Data indicates that imports are outpacing domestic production. While 433,320 tons of lentil production are expected this year, imports have already reached 495,572 tons. Gürer noted that 87.9% of these imports consist of red lentils, primarily sourced from Canada, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

The decline in domestic production is attributed to rising input costs, which prevent farmers from earning sufficient income. This has led producers to shift toward different crops to remain viable. Gürer emphasized that without proper planning and timely support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, domestic production may continue to yield to imports, affecting both the market and the consumer's table.