Agriculture and food were put on the table

The Economy Reporters Association and the Association of Agricultural Journalists and Authors in Turkey discussed the future of agricultural exports with key figures in the Aegean region's exporters unions. The meeting highlighted the need for a shift towards value-added production and sustainability in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of technology, contract production, and agriculture in the post-COVID-19 era. The unions underscored the strategic significance of the agriculture and food sectors, suggesting that by managing them effectively, Turkey could reduce imports and increase exports of agricultural and food products. The Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association proposed a strategy for year-round production, which, if implemented, could double Turkey's export figures. The olive oil exporters union set a target of $1.5 billion and aims to increase the value of olive tree assets from $180 million to $300 million by improving infrastructure and facilitating duty-free exports.