Turkey is the 5th biggest manufacturer of sugar from sugar beet after Germany, USA, France, and Russia. However, over the past 15 years, Turkey has gradually decreased the sugar beet production down to 66 KMT in 2019 compared to 430 KMT in 2004. This decrease is explained by the privatization of the 13 state-owned factories out of 25 in total. The other major reason for forgoing sugar beet production is domestic politics allowing more starch-based sugar production. Turkey's sugar demand is met 90% by sugar from sugar beet and 10% by starch-based sugar.