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Ample rainfall helped Türkiye’s agricultural production expand 13.3% in the second quarter, turning the sector into a key contributor to the country’s 2.3% economic growth, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Tuesday.
"We received wonderful rainfall and our agricultural production grew by 13.3% in the second quarter. It has become the dynamo, the locomotive of our growth," Bolat said at the opening of the Foodist Istanbul fair.
The agriculture and food sector contributed 0.5 percentage points to Türkiye’s second-quarter growth, while production continued to meet domestic and foreign demand despite recent climate-related challenges.
The stronger performance comes after a difficult year for agriculture, with the sector hit by two severe frost disasters in February and April, followed by a prolonged drought that began in June and lasted until late autumn, Bolat said.
Despite those setbacks, Türkiye preserved the overall scale of its agricultural production, meeting domestic needs while continuing to export, according to the minister.
Bolat also highlighted government measures aimed at cushioning the sector from external shocks. Fertilizer imports were exempted from taxes, while fertilizer held in warehouses was made available for domestic use, he said. Fuel subsidies were also used to limit the effect of higher energy prices.
"Türkiye is a country that has a foreign trade surplus in agriculture, food, and processed food. Last year, it was about $11 billion, and agricultural exports rose from $3 billion in 2002 to $32.5 billion last year. An increase of nearly 10 times has taken place," he said.
Bolat attributed the rise in exports to Türkiye’s ability to remain self-sufficient in agriculture while also supplying international markets.
He also said the government continues to take regulatory and enforcement measures when exceptional circumstances, unfair trade practices, or excessive prices disrupt markets, with the stated aim of protecting producers and consumers.
Foodist Istanbul brings together 561 domestic and 76 foreign exhibitors, with more than 70,000 visitors expected during the four-day event, Bolat said. The fair spans around 10 halls and attracts companies and visitors from Türkiye and abroad.
Representatives from Chinese and Japanese e-commerce marketplaces are also expected to visit the fair after participating in the Istanbul Global E-Export Summit. Meetings with food and beverage producers have been arranged by ministry officials, Bolat said.
The fair covers 120,000 square meters and is expected to host about 70,000 professional visitors from 150 countries. More than 2,000 businesspeople from 60 focus countries are taking part in VIP purchasing delegations.
Business-to-business meetings, the Foodist Forum, and Foodist Show Kitchen are also being held as part of the event, which runs through Friday, Sept. 4.
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