Turkish business leaders urge support for producers and real sector

Turkish business leaders from the Antalya Commodity Exchange (ATB) and the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) have issued warnings regarding the economic challenges facing the production and real sectors.

Ali Çandır, President of the ATB, emphasized the necessity of supporting producers to ensure food security and price stability. Discussing the Medium-Term Program (OVP), Çandır noted that while the agricultural sector showed significant growth in the second quarter of 2026, long-term success depends on addressing high production costs, access to finance, and agricultural employment. He stressed that without keeping producers active, food supply security cannot be maintained.

Gürsel Baran, President of the ATO, addressed the impact of tight monetary policies used to combat inflation. He noted that while declining inflation is a positive development, businesses are facing increased production costs and difficulties accessing capital. To alleviate liquidity issues, Baran proposed a regulatory change regarding Value Added Tax (VAT), suggesting that VAT payments on deferred sales should be postponed by three to six months to align with actual collection periods.