The agricultural and food trade deficit widened: Exports declined while imports accelerated.

In the first two months of 2025, Turkey's agricultural, food, and beverage sector experienced a negative shift in its foreign trade balance, recording a trade deficit of $850 million. According to data prepared by the Turkish Food and Beverage Industry Associations Federation (TGDF) based on the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) foreign trade figures, exports declined by 3.39% to $4.7 billion, while imports rose by 20.63% to $3.85 billion compared to the same period in 2024.

In this timeframe, the unit export value increased by 0.21% to $1,254 per ton. The faster growth of imports compared to exports disrupted the trade balance, influenced by factors such as rising input costs and weak foreign demand. Sugar and sugary products led exports, while animal feed dominated imports, highlighting the need for policies to alleviate import pressures and enhance competitiveness in export markets.