TURKISH AGRI.NEWS

April 29, 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic Drives Maize Prices down... The global spread of the pandemic that started off in China has caused maize prices to drop, over the past few weeks. Maize – a Raw Material Linked to Petrol Prices... One of the main causes for the maize price drop in the past weeks has been the plummeting petrol prices. In recent years, nearly 40 percent of the U.S. maize production has been used in the ethanol industry. On the other hand, ethanol prices (closely linked to the petrol ones) have dropped almost by half since mid-February. The petrol market faces a double hit to supply and demand. Fuel demand is dropping as a result of the global economic and industrial slow-down triggered by the large number of people in lock-in. World petrol supply has otherwise recorded a net increase, due to disagreements among the main producing countries. Consequently, petrol prices have fallen. The margins and market outlets of the ethanol industry have therefore shru...

Press release... By saying "May all Turkey sow", Filiz Ceritoğlu Şengel, Mayor of Selçuk (a district of İzmir province), who announces 'Mother Earth's Call' throughout Turkey sowed watermelon of Gelemer variety in the Efes (Ephesus) field. Gelemer variety Efes-Selçuk Watermelon, which has been one of the agricultural richnesses of the region for many years, also known as Black Watermelon among the people, meets the soil again. While sharing the details of "May all Turkey sow" call on the 23 April National Sovereignty Day  and sowing tomato seeds in Efes field, Mayor Şengel took action in order to add the Gelemer variety of watermelon into the agricultural values of Selçuk district. We bring the ancestral seeds together with the soil... Indicating that watermelon cultivation in the lands of Ephesus-Selçuk region has evolved since the past years and has been replaced by other fruits, Mayor Şengel said, “We have a goal to revive Efes-Selçuk wa...

Turkey on Wednesday set up a digital ecosystem for the agriculture sector to establish a direct link between the cultivator and the consumer. Launching the Digital Agriculture Market, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said that it will enable stakeholders dealing with agricultural supply and demand to meet in the digital marketplace and ensure that the farmers will earn more income. It will also help the consumer to access cheaper agricultural products. Addressing an online press conference, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli described the project as a milestone in the way of planned agriculture. Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, and the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu also attended the press conference. "This project is a milestone in planned agriculture, aiming to cover 10% of Turkey's fruit and vegetable production at the first stage,...

Turkey provided interest-free six-month postponement for farmers ' loans amid the coronavirus pandemic, the treasury and finance minister announced on April 28. "Thus, we offer our farmers the opportunity to postpone approximately 6 billion Turkish liras ($858.1 million) debt," Berat Albayrak said on Twitter. He said for the past 18 years, the government has always stood by farmers and mobilized its possibilities. Today, the government backs farmers again against the COVID-19's effects, he added. The country also supports several sectors and citizens with salary payments, tax postponement or discounts, and loans with a low-interest rate. After originating in China last December, COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has spread to at least 185 countries and regions across the world. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit.

Following the insight of the coronavirus outbreak in Turkey that surrounds the world, those who want to strengthen their immune system turned to natural products. Among these products, propolis which is known to have strong antioxidant effects, collected by bees from the sap of plants, leaves, stems and buds is among the most preferred. While beekeepers recommend propolis to those who want to strengthen the immune system due to the coronavirus epidemic, which has been sold for 2 thousand liras in the past months, is now sold for 4 thousand liras per kilogram. Propolis, produced in small quantities in different districts of Manisa province, sells like hot cakes nowadays. Beekeepers, who spend half of the year nearby of their hives, try to collect propolis from the hives they opened early in the day because of the high demand and collect this product. Protective features against viruses provened... Stating that the interest in honey and honey products is increasing day by day,...

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke at the 'Digital Agriculture Market' (DİTAP) introductory meeting... The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu announced that the Digital Agricultural Market is a project that will allow to balance of supply and demand in the market by enhancing efficiency of Turkey's agricultural ecosystem. TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu participated in the introduction meeting of Digital Agricultural Market by video conferencing method held by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Bekir Pakdemirli. Stating that the discussions of 'domestic production' and 'being self-sufficient country' around the world have reignited during the epidemic of new types of Coronavirus (Covid-19), Hisarcıklıoğlu noted, "Discourses like self sufficiency in agriculture, local and national production and food security gained much more importance in this process. Agriculture and food will b...

Press release... April 29, 2020 While Coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic enhances the awareness concerning nature destructions of which the cause of climate changes, Paris Climate Agreement, signed by Turkey in 2016, can not enter into force for not has been adopted in Parliament. Turkey who inked the agreement in 2015 so as to minimize the impacts of global warming retains the distinction of being one of 10 countries still not approved in the Parliament. Energy Industrialists and Businessmen Association (ENSİA) Chairman Hüseyin Vatansever, in his written statement, said, "The Covid-19 epidemic is not just a disease. We don't just have a virus outbreak. We witness the revenge of our old world and nature from human beings. This pandemic teaches all of us the importance of producing energy by being humanity and environment friendly." Open call to political parties... Underlining that Turkey is required to give more significance to renewable and clean energy so...

April, 2020 ASF has devastated China’s swine industry since August 2018. Despite low official reported cases of ASF and robust recovery efforts in the second half of 2019, overall swine production and slaughter will remain depressed in 2020. Further complicating matters is the coronavirus outbreak in China, but it is likely that there will be sufficient market incentive and political stimulus to push forward with recovery efforts. As a result, the 2020 ending hog inventory is expected to increase slightly from 2019 as the decline bottoms out. With low pork production in 2020 resulting in high pork prices, many Chinese consumers will seek out beef as an alternative protein. While elevated beef prices will spur some larger facilities to increase cattle production, most smaller facilities will be cautious in the face of uncertain pork prices and rising input costs. Overall, cattle ending inventories are expected to remain basically flat through 2020. The majority of increased bee...

April, 2020 In marketing year (MY) 2019/20, Bulgaria’s total grain harvest was 8.5 percent above MY 2018/19, including almost 4.0 million metric tons (MMT) of corn, a production record. Higher domestic stocks, favorable export demand, and lower domestic consumption, supported the increase in exports. As of early April 2020, wheat exports increased by 29 percent over April 2019, barley exports increased by 44 percent, and corn exports similarly were up by 60 percent, due to substantial demand outside of the European Union (EU) following the global COVID-19 outbreak. Despite dry conditions during fall 2019 and for most of winter 2019/20, snowfall during the second half of March provided much needed precipitation in many parts of the country, although eastern Bulgaria remains dry. Spring planting is on track, despite some input supply chain disruptions in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Assuming favorable weather conditions, Post expects MY 2020/21 grain production will be comp...

Press release... Cherry Producer, exporter and also Kemalpaşa (a district of Izmir province) Municipality Council Member Ahmet Özken  said that they realized the first shipment of cherries in Turkey along with the beginning of cherry season in 2020... Özken, President of the Kemalpaşa Agriculture Support and Development Association (KEMTAR), said: "Kemalpaşa Bağyurdu-Yiğitler-Ören ​​basin is the land where the first cherries of the Northern hemisphere originated. Turkey with the annual 650,000 tons of cherries production ranks first across the world. By the way our Kemalpaşa, the capital of the agricultural town of cherry grows approximately 12 percent of Turkey's all yield. Despite being the world champion in terms of production, unfortunately we are in third place after US and Chil as an exporter. We, as producers based in these lands, are working to sell our cherries, which we grow all year round, with the aim of selling them in value." Zafer Özken, General Se...

One million 158 thousand dollars vinegar exports in the first quarter of this year was realized in Turkey. According to the information received by the Uludağ Exporters' Associations, companies in the sector made the most exports to Saudi Arabia. Exports to Saudi Arabia, where 317 thousand dollars worth of products were sent in the first quarter of last year, decreased by 24.6 percent to 239 thousand dollars in the same period this year. An increase of 3.9 percent was recorded in the foreign sales to Iraq, which ranks second in exports. Exports to this country increased from 175,000 to 182,000 dollars. Exports to Germany, which is in the third place, increased by 15.86 percent from 115,000 to 133,000 dollars. While foreign sales Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Germany accounted for 48 percent of total exports, 1 million 158 thousand dollars of income was obtained through vinegar exports made in the first quarter of 2020. Export rise to Israel, Belgium and Sweden... Exports to U...

"There is no price hike in red meat in Ramadan," said Osman Yardımcı, Vice President of the Butchers' Federation. Butchers' Federation of Turkey Vice President Osman Yardımcı said there will be no price increase of red meat in the month of Ramadan. "We have always such provocative remarks in Ramadan period in terms of red meat. No one should regard to this," Yardımcı added. Yardımcı, who is also the president of the Antalya Butchers' Chamber, told AA (Anatolian Agency) correspondent that all butchers have completed their preparations. Stating that due to the epidemic of the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19), intensive measures were taken at all stages from slaughterhouses to butcher shops, Yardımcı noted that slaughtering and selling are held according to disinfection rules. Emphasizing that they are always trying to help the citizen, Yardımcı explained, "In Ramadan, we will not raise red meat prices so that our citizens are able to eat...

Press release... Export attack from Pınar Süt... Pınar Süt, the leading dairy company of Turkey, supplies 19 percent of national milk and dairy exports by itself, attained the targets in the first quarter of 2020 despite all market negativities. İdil Yiğitbaşı, Chairwoman of the Board of Pınar Süt, said that they continue to bring together the farmers' products and Turkish tastes with the world.    While the epidemic affecting the whole world and the global economy, Pınar Süt sustains meeting of Turkish farmers' products with the world and brings in the country. Pınar Süt reached its targets in the first quarter this year and also realized 19 percent exports of all dairy products alone in 2019 and brought in 43 million dollars. Despite all the negativities experienced in the market due to the pandemic, Pınar Süt increased its exports by 10 percent compared to 2019 and contributed to the national economy. Pınar, which has taken its place on the shelves with its pr...

April - 2020 Sugar beet production and planting area is forecast at 19.2 million metric tons (MMT) and 320,000 hectares (ha) in Marketing Year (MY) 2020/21, assuming favorable growing conditions similar to last year. The production quotas for MY 2020/21 were announced on December 25, 2019, which is identical to the amount allocated last year. The process of privatizing ten state-owned sugar factories has finished. Turkish confectionery products exports are increasing steadily. PRODUCTION... Sugar Beets Sugar beet production and planting area is forecast at 19.2 MMT and 320,000 ha in MY 2020/21, assuming favorable growing conditions in line with last year. The sugar beet production estimate is slightly lower than the previous MY due to a slightly decreased planting area. Although the sugar quota remains the same in MY 2020/21, some sugar beet producers in certain regions shifted to corn and other crops because of the complexities of selling sugar beets under the quota and better...

Milking of royal jelly begins while sold at 7 thousand liras per kilogram... Milking of royal jelly, which has many benefits for the human body, has begun. Royal jelly of which price is 7 thousand liras per kilogram is sold like hot cakes since it strengthens immunity. The milking of bee milk, which is produced by young worker bees to feed queen bees and to be queen bees, starts in April when flowers bloom and continues until August. Producing royal jelly in Bursa, beekeepers Mehmet Durgut and Metin Kaya made their first harvest this year. It is known that royal jelly, which is expressed in grams from hives, strengthens the immune system. Due to the coronavirus, there is great demand for royal jelly this year. Beekeepers who consume their stocks, although the price is expensive, also received the order of royal jelly to be produced in a few months. Royal jelly is a very rich substance, it contains protein, carbohydrates, fats as well as vitamins B3, B6, B1, B2, pantothenic a...

With the effect of an increase in its price, as stated in the National Grain Council's 2020 March Wheat Report, a rise of 5 percent is expected in wheat yield, which has an expansion in the cultivation area. The National Grain Council (UHK) March 2020 Wheat Report included recommendations for the production of wheat and supply security under the influence of the new type of Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. In the report, which pointed out that agriculture and food in the epidemic are the sectors that will be affected the most, it is stated that there is a tendency to increase in food prices in the world as some countries have restricted the export of agricultural products within the scope of health measures. Measures in agriculture and food against the epidemic... Although the emptying of supermarket shelves in many developed countries because of the impact of the pandemic, this study pointed to the food problem is not happening in Turkey, it also drew attention to the he...

World Veterinary Day Award 2020 - Environmental protection for improving animal and human health... The WVA and HealthforAnimals are proud to announce the 2020 World Veterinary Day theme: Environmental protection for improving animal and human health. For 20 years, World Veterinary Day has been an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals and society. As One Health advocates, veterinarians know that environmental, human and animal health are inextricably linked. Negative changes to our environment will ultimately harm ourselves and the animals in our care. The 2020 World Veterinary Day will be held on 25th April 2020 and is an opportunity to celebrate the work of veterinarians to protect our environment. Applications are now open for the World Veterinary Day Award 2020, which honours one WVA Member’s activities related to 2020’s theme. The deadline for applications submission is 25th May  2020.

Supply chains must be shortened and localised, urges FAO... Whilst addressing the Agriculture Ministers of the G20 countries, the FAO Director-General highlighted essential actions that must be taken in order to maintain the supply chains of the future. The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a major public health concern but also a threat to global food security, one that can be mitigated by avoiding measures that disrupt food supply chains, Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, told the Agriculture Ministers of the G20 countries. “Preserving access to safe food and nutrition is an essential part of the health response,” he said, recommending countries to strengthen local production and shorten food supply chains. “We need to collaborate with every actor in the supply chain, build public-private partnerships and promote innovation”, Dongyu said at the G20 meeting, convened by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which holds t...

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Turkey: Food Processing Ingredients Turkey's food sector is diverse and growing, after a brief period of recession in 2018. Effects of COVID19 are yet to be seen; however, currently the food processing industry appears to be meeting the challenges well. U.S. processed food and food processing ingredients face strong competition from local suppliers and from European countries benefiting from proximity to the market and a customs union. While import regulations can be complex, there are opportunities for innovative ingredients and additives, including aromas and flavorings. Consumers in Turkey have an increasing taste for international flavors, particularly the young and growing middle class. Turkey: Sugar Annual Sugar beet production and planting area is forecast at 19.2 million metric tons (MMT) and 320,000 hectares (ha) in Marketing Year (MY) 2020/21, as...

Press release... It is very important to keep fasting in Ramadan without reducing body resistance and keeping fit. Doctors emphasize that keeping the immune system strong at every opportunity, especially in the days when we have a Coronavirus outbreak. In order to keep our immune system strong and not risk our health while fasting, we need to choose foods that are high in nutrients and keep full throughout the day. Expressing that the miracle of nature unadulterated pure raw honey can be used both in the sahur and iftar, Honey Gourmet Ahmet Bağran Aksoy said, "Eating honey with yoghurt could be a better option instead of pastry desserts in iftar (the evening meal during Ramadan). In Turkey, a large part of people consume breakfast items in sahur (pre-dawn meal). But eating instead of artificially sweetened breakfast products in sahur, honey will facilitate digestion of stomach transition to relieving sleep throughout the day and will reduce the sensation of thirst." ...

Federation of Food and Drink Industry Associations of Turkey (TGDF), umbrella organization of  food and beverage industry, evaluated the 2020 Global Food Crisis Report... With the latest developments, the statement made clear that no country in the world should consider it exempt from food crises, reiterating its demand for support for all parts of the process, from field to production, in order to look at the future more confidently. 135 million people around the world experience food security crisis... The Global Food Crisis Network created by the European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program has published its 2020 report. The report emphasized that 135 million people in 55 countries around the world are at a crisis level or worse in terms of food security. In the report, which stated that negative data rose to record levels in 2019, it was pointed out that more serious problems may be experienced in 2020 with the effect of the COV...

Chairman of Black Sea Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products Exporters' Association İlyas Edip Sevinç said that the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has slowed trade and adversely affected the national economies all over the world. Stating that this process has not had any effect on hazelnut exports so far, Sevinç said, "In the period of 1 September 2019-19 April 2020, 266 thousand 300 tons of hazelnuts were exported and earned 1 billion 758 million dollars of foreign exchange revenue, compared to last year, amounting to 62 thousand 480 tons and 578 in value. It is expected to break a new record by reaching 320 thousand tons at the end of the season." Pointing out that months of April and May are important in terms of fertilization, spraying and maintenance of gardens in order to produce hazelnut, which provides foreign currency input to the country without using any imported item, Sevinç also emphasized that they appreciated not including of agriculturers in th...

Press release... In Ramadan, which has an important place in our social and social life, our diet and habits change completely and in this period, it is of great importance to eat healthy and reliable food items besides balanced nutrition. In our country, especially the prices of red meat and other foods are much higher than prices in developed countries in the world and the majority of the people cannot reach meat and meat products. Therefore, imitation and adulteration are increasing in this area. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which is the legal authority in the field of food safety in our country, conducts food inspections but remains insufficient in the inspections that need to be carried out effectively. News about food or water poisoning occur in public catering places such as schools, dormitories, public institutions, hospitals and military units almost daily. Considering that mass consumption has increased especially during Ramadan, it is seen that food in...

"Organic agriculture costs the planet greatly!" Sabancı University Lecturer Dr. Selim Çetiner said that in order to provide sufficient and high quality nutrients to the world population, which is expected to be 10 billion in 2050, maximum efficiency should be obtained from the unit area and this should be done without negatively affecting the environment and biodiversity. Emphasizing that this is called "Sustainable Concentration" , Çetiner stated, "This is really important in order to protect the environment and to leave a protected environment for future generations." Pointing out that today the world is saturated with the production made by using plant pesticides and other methods in 1.5 billion hectares of agriculture but if this is done with organic production, Çetiner underlined, "8 billion population can be saturated by destroying meadows, pastures and deserts and wheat produced by the effects of abiotic and biotic stress factors only...

Message from the President & CEO - April 22, 2020 Dear Partner – The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning that in Africa COVID-19 could surge from just thousands now to 10 million in three to six months . Over the past week, cases in Africa have doubled. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, shared, “Last week, there was a 51% increase in the number of reported cases on my own continent, Africa, and a 60% increase in the number of reported deaths.” Lockdowns across the continent are obliterating the African economy. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, about 71% of Africa’s workforce is “informally employed.” A recent McKinsey report shows that the jobs or incomes of 150 million Africans are vulnerable in the crisis . For the majority of Africans, at this moment, the fear of hunger is greater than the fear of COVID-19. Our member food banks in Africa are on the front lines of this dramatic, immediate increase in nee...

BEE'O Propolis Founder, Woman Entrepreneur Aslı Elif Tanuğur Samancı Receives an Award from America! Launching the native propolis production for the first time in Turkey, while introducing propolis of Anatolia to the world, the creator of BEE'O brand, Food Engineer Aslı Elif Tanuğur Samancı was featured by Women's Entrepreneurship Magazine Databird Business Journal among "America's Best Female Managers". Aslı Elif Tanuğur Samancı, who was nominated among the best female executives for 2019, was deemed worthy of an award with a jury vote in the competition organized by the magazine every year! Aslı Elif Tanuğur Samancı, who made a global difference with her business model, was awarded the Silver Medal by winning one of the Best Business Women of the Year in the 2019 Databird Woman Manager of the Competition, in which the initiatives and successes of women managers specializing in their own branches were rewarded. Tanuğur said the following about thi...

Rome, 20 April 2020 - With the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown threatening the lives and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable people, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today committed US$40 million, and launched an urgent appeal for additional funds, to support farmers and rural communities to continue growing and selling food. IFAD’s new multi-donor fund, the COVID-19 Rural Poor Stimulus Facility , will mitigate the effects of the pandemic on food production, market access and rural employment. As part of the broader UN socio-economic response framework, the Facility will ensure that farmers in the most vulnerable countries have timely access to inputs, information, markets and liquidity. On top of its own contribution, IFAD aims to raise at least $200 million more from Member States, foundations and the private sector. “We need to act now to stop this health crisis transforming into a food crisis,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, Presid...