State institution Soil Products Office (TMO) initiated an international tender notice to import 90,000 tons of wheat on Wednesday. The tender is said to continue until January 13. Until the beginning of 2000s, Turkey was listed among self-sufficient countries in terms of agricultural production.
As a result of agricultural production policies, Turkey now imports very basic items of common need. Starting from 2010, import of livestock and meat is permitted. Basic products including barley, cotton, corn, rice and other legumes are started to be imported.
Production of some critical items was supported before ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). During AKP rule, changes in laws regarding tobacco, sugar and olive production started and the number of producer families and the resultant output are decreasing.
COSTS ARE INCREASING
The gradual decrease of state subventions to agricultural inputs leads to increasing costs for the producer. The areas dedicated to agricultural production are decreasing, due to the liberalization of the economy and abolishment of laws protecting domestic farmers from global competition.
During AKP rule, import quotas on critical agricultural products were abolished. In some critical sectors, including tobacco, foreign companies dominate the market; so, the producers have to sell their products for lower prices and state provides no protection against the domination of such cartels.
AKP government does not support the fuel consumption of farmers, which is one of the main reasons of increasing costs. One recent issue of hot debate was that the fuel used by yachts was exempted from some taxes, whereas fuel used by farmers was taxed. Taxes on import, on the other hand, have been decreased, making domestic farmers more vulnerable to foreign competition.
According to the data, annual wheat import in the first years of 2000s were negligible in amount; but it is now more than 1.5 billions of US$.
