Kadooğlu: We Have Nearly 100% Growth Potential in Wheat Exports to Syria

Forex - The cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and products sector, which continues to lead exports in the region by accounting for 29.1% of the total exports of Southeast Anatolia, reached an export revenue of $3.1 billion in 11 months.

In the field of cereals, this region holds a share of 28.6% in the overall sector for Turkey's exports. Due to a decline in wheat flour exports this year, pasta and sunflower oil emerged as the most exported products from the region. In the 11-month period, pasta exports from Southeast Anatolia approached the 1 million-ton mark, with exporters in the region realizing 64.7% of Turkey's total pasta exports, generating $560 million in revenue. The largest export market was Iraq, with a 33.5% share, followed by Syria and the USA.

"There is a nearly 100% potential increase in our wheat exports to Syria" Evaluating the developments in Syria, which ranks second with an 8.1% share in the region's grain exports, Celal Kadooğlu, President of the Southeastern Anatolia Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters' Union, stated: "This year, the downward trend observed in demand due to the global economic recession did not reflect on our trade with Syria in the past 11 months. The wheat export from our region to Syria increased by 10%, exceeding $250 million. This figure, which corresponds to 54% of the sector's overall export of $457 million for all of Turkey, illustrates how significant Syria is for our region. However, due to the internal turmoil and longstanding war conditions in the country, it is difficult to say that this current commercial volume reflects the real potential between the two countries. For instance, we export more than four times the amount of grain to Iraq, which is roughly twice the population size of Syria. This indicates that there is nearly a 100% potential increase for Syria; we wish to offer more of our resources for food security in Syria."

"The Syrian people prefer Turkish goods for essential food products" Expressing that families in Syria procure 70% of their sunflower oil and wheat flour imports from Turkey due to the confidence they have in our country, Kadooğlu shared his expectations about the new period as follows: "The fact that millions of people have left their homes has negatively affected the country's economy and has unfortunately reduced Syria's purchasing power. Those who have decided to return to Syria due to recent developments carry with them the friendship rooted in our hospitality and the spirit of solidarity from our people. The restoration of a secure environment in Syria and the ability for individuals to live in prosperity once again would bring us the most happiness. The collaborations we establish will contribute to both economies. We believe that becoming a commercial partner with Syria, which has great geostrategic significance due to its geographical location, will strengthen our region in opening to new markets in the Middle East. As we have always expressed, as business people operating in Southeastern Anatolia; with our deep ties to the Syrian people and our strong connections built over many years, we are ready to make every contribution we can to this process."

Kadooğlu thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the government for their sensitivity regarding the Syria issue, which closely concerns the security of Turkey and regional countries, as well as their strong contributions to the beginning of a new era in Syria, stating, "This new process will play an important role in revitalizing not only our sector but also many sectors in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa."