Wheat and meslin market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Turkish Grain Office (TMO) regulated the wheat and meslin market by setting purchase and sale prices, while providing support to farmers registered in the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS). This framework contributed to relative stability, though production fluctuated from 20.0 million tons in 2018 to 19.0 million in 2019 before recovering to 20.5 million in 2020. Over the same period, the market volume expanded from 25.7 million tons to 30.0 million tons, largely due to a rise in imports, which reached 9.6 million tons in 2020.

In 2021, production dropped to 17.7 million tons, pulling the market volume down to 26.3 million tons. The following year, TMO increased purchase prices for wheat and barley, adding a premium of 1,000 TL per ton for wheat and 500 TL for barley, and allowed registered producers to sell without type or quota restrictions. These measures helped lift production to 19.8 million tons in 2022, while the market volume grew to 28.3 million tons. Imports remained elevated at 8.9 million tons.

TMO continued to raise support prices in 2023, setting bread wheat at 8,250 TL per ton with a 1,750 TL support premium, which drove production up to 22.0 million tons and market volume to 32.1 million tons. However, wheat sown area kept shrinking, falling to 68 million decares by 2023, posing a strategic challenge for the sector. For 2024, TMO announced further price increases, but the impact on production remains to be seen.

Production wheat and meslin Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Turkey ranked 11th globally in wheat and meslin production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Turkey's wheat and meslin production increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 20 500 K t, showing a 7.9% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 19 000 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Turkey's wheat and meslin output was 6 495 M $ US, indicating a 4.2% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 701 M $ US, and the maximum value was in 2019 at 6 777 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 18.9%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

Turkey's wheat and meslin exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 125 K t, marking a 7.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 45.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (26.7% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (24.4% of exports in kind), and Iraq (15.3% of exports in kind) consistently held leading positions in Turkey's export structure, jointly accounting for 66.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Turkey's wheat and meslin export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 39 M $ US, reflecting a significant 18.1% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 37.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (24.4% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (22.0% of exports in value terms), and Iraq (19.8% of exports in value terms) formed the main group of destinations for Turkey's wheat and meslin exports, with a combined share of 66.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's wheat and meslin imports declined after a two-year rise. In 2020, imports totaled 9 584 K t, marking a moderate 4.2% reduction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 110%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 005 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 68.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the main market for Turkey's wheat and meslin imports in kind, with a share of 71.0% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed across numerous other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's wheat and meslin import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 335 M $ US, up by 1.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 116.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Turkey's wheat and meslin imports in value terms were Russia (66.9% of imports in value terms), Ukraine (8.9% of imports in value terms), and Canada (5.7% of imports in value terms), which jointly accounted for 81.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020