Turkish agricultural leaders urge modernization and export focus

Agricultural leaders in Turkey are emphasizing the need for modernization and the commercialization of high-potential crops to ensure economic sustainability and export growth.

At an Adana Commodity Exchange meeting, Chairman Şahin Bilgiç highlighted the necessity of preparing Adana’s agriculture for the future. He noted that climate change, water resources, and rising production costs require a shift toward efficiency. Bilgiç advocated for a green transformation involving modern irrigation, digital technologies, and renewable energy to transform the region from a raw material producer into a processed and branded food hub.

Separately, during an Istanbul Commodity Exchange meeting, Ahmet Fatih Özboyacı of Özboyacı Tarım A.Ş. identified hawthorn as a ‘hidden treasure’ with significant export potential. He noted that while hawthorn can sell for five to six times the price of an apple, its trade remains underdeveloped. Özboyacı stressed that establishing proper production, storage, standardization, and marketing infrastructure is essential to move hawthorn from wild harvesting to a planned, global export product.