Market
Latest WITS pages reviewed show Turkey importing $613.5 million of dried lentils, shelled in 2023 and exporting $626.5 million in 2024, which places it in the role of a major processing and re-export hub. Canada was the biggest import origin in the 2023 data, while Iraq was the largest export destination in 2024. Industrial cleaning, splitting, sorting, and packing are concentrated in hubs such as Mersin and Gaziantep, while domestic dryland lentil production in the southeast still supports the broader market.
Market RoleImport-dependent processing and re-export hub
Domestic RoleStaple pulse ingredient for household cooking, soups, and foodservice
SeasonalityYear-round market availability is sustained by imported supply and domestic processing; the underlying lentil harvest in the southeast is tied to the dryland cropping window.
Risks
Climate HighThe southeastern lentil belt is rainfed, so drought and rainfall swings in provinces such as Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Gaziantep, and Adıyaman can cut domestic supply for processors and tighten margins.Source from multiple origins and keep larger forward coverage on raw lentil stocks.
Regulatory Compliance MediumTurkey has repeatedly changed lentil duties and export-registration rules, so using the wrong GTİP line or an outdated decree can alter landed cost or delay clearance.Verify the current tariff, origin treatment, and document rules before each shipment.
Food Safety MediumMoisture, mold, insects, and broken kernels are explicit concerns for dried legumes in Turkey, so poor storage can trigger rejection or complaints.Test moisture and foreign matter before packing and maintain dry, pest-controlled storage.
Logistics MediumThe product moves in bulk through sea freight and inland trucking, so freight spikes and port congestion raise landed cost even without cold-chain exposure.Lock freight early and hold buffer stocks at port or plant.
Market Price Volatility MediumTurkey depends heavily on Canadian and Black Sea origin supply, so crop shocks and exchange-rate moves in those origins can quickly pass through to local prices and re-export margins.Diversify sourcing and hedge currency exposure where possible.
Geopolitical MediumExport demand is concentrated in Iraq and other nearby MENA destinations, so border, payment, or sanctions-related disruptions can affect sales quickly.Spread exports across multiple destination markets and monitor regional payment risk.
Sustainability- Rainfed dryland dependence in southeastern Turkey
- Nitrogen-fixing rotation benefits from lentil cultivation
- Moisture and pest control in storage to reduce food loss
Labor & Social- Seasonal farm labor availability
- Worker safety in cleaning, splitting, and packing plants
FAQ
Is Turkey mainly a lentil importer or exporter?It is both. The latest WITS pages reviewed show large import and export flows, which means Turkey functions as a processing and re-export hub rather than a simple consumer market.
Which countries supply most of Turkey's dried lentils?Canada is the largest supplier in the WITS import data reviewed, followed by Russia, Kazakhstan, and Australia.
Where are lentils processed in Turkey?The main processing clusters are in Mersin and Gaziantep, where major firms advertise cleaning, splitting, sorting, and packing lines.
What quality problems matter most for dried lentils in Turkey?Mold, insects, broken kernels, and poor labeling matter most. Turkey's official food-safety guidance specifically warns against moldy or insect-damaged dried legumes and prefers packaged, labeled foods.