TZOB President calls for strategic food stockpiling

Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB), has called for the creation of security stocks for strategic agricultural products to ensure food security. During a visit to the Isparta Chamber of Agriculture, Bayraktar warned that regional conflicts and rising oil prices are increasing production costs and could lead to serious food supply issues if instability spreads.

Bayraktar emphasized that agriculture is a critical security matter because, unlike other consumer goods, food consumption cannot be delayed. He also addressed the economic gap in the supply chain, describing the 7-to-8-fold price difference between producers and retail markets as abnormal. To resolve this issue permanently, he advocated for the widespread expansion of agricultural cooperatives.

Additionally, Bayraktar highlighted the importance of Isparta to Turkey’s agricultural landscape, noting that the province provides 85% of the country’s rose production and 12.5% of its mushroom production. He also noted that Isparta contributes significantly to the production of lavender, carnations, cereals, chickpeas, beans, and apricots.