In the first quarter, the Southeastern Anatolia region's exports in the grains, pulses, oilseeds, and products sector rose by 10 percent to $836.5 million, led by items such as pasta, wheat flour, and sunflower seed oil. Notably, exports of sweet biscuits, wafers, cocoa products, and sugar doubled, fueled by high demand for holiday candy and a drop in global sugar prices, with increased production in India and Thailand contributing to this trend. While exports to the Middle East increased by 15.4 percent, there was a 9.4 percent decline in sales to Africa. Celal Kadooğlu, the regional exporters association president, discussed the influence of global sugar price fluctuations on confectionery exports and expressed optimism that the Turkish President's visit to Iraq would improve trade relations, especially in light of Iraq's import restrictions.