Turkiye: Sugar import debates continue

Published 2024년 12월 1일

Tridge summary

Turkey imported approximately 145 thousand tons of sugar, worth $98 million, in the first 10 months of 2024 for export under the Inward Processing Regime, according to the country's Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat. This situation sparked criticism from CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer, who pointed out that Turkey's sugar production is self-sufficient and questioned the need for imports. Gürer also expressed concern over the decrease in sugar beet cultivation areas in Turkey and called for an end to sugar imports, arguing that they are detrimental to local farmers and the agricultural sector.

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Original content

(ANKARA) - Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat gave a written answer to a question posed by CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer at the Planning and Budget Commission, saying, "Approximately 145 thousand tons (98 million dollars) of sugar was imported in the first 10 months of 2024, all of which was for export within the scope of the Inward Processing Regime." Emphasizing that sugar imports should be abandoned, Gürer stated that there was a decrease in the areas where sugar beets were planted in Turkey, and asked, "Why is there no work to increase sugar beet cultivation? Why is Turkey forced to import sugar?" CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer asked Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat during the 2025 budget discussions of the Ministry of Trade at the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission, "Although we did not have a sugar deficit in sugar production in recent years, you have resorted to imports. I would also like to know whether sugar imports were made in 2024." Minister Bolat: "145 thousand tons of ...

Source: Sondakika