The “4th IAOM Eurasia Conference &
Exhibition,” one of the most important gatherings of the global grain industry
organized by IAOM (International Association of Operative Millers) Eurasia
Region, opened at Istanbul Hilton Bomonti Hotel under the theme “The Role of
Women in Agriculture.” In his opening speech, IAOM Eurasia President Dr. Eren
Günhan Ulusoy said: “FAO’s grain price index peaked at 173 in May 2022. By July
2025, it had fallen to 106, its lowest level since October 2020. The decline in
food inflation is promising for consumers.”
IAOM Eurasia President Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy
Turkey, the world’s flour export champion for the past 10 years, is preparing to once again lead global exports in 2025 with 2.5 million tons of flour shipments. Due to its sectoral success, Turkey currently holds the presidency of IAOM Eurasia, which represents 32 countries with a population of more than 2 billion and a combined economic size of $7.1 trillion. Representing 55% of world wheat production and 59% of flour exports, IAOM Eurasia launched its 4th Conference & Exhibition in Istanbul, attended by over 1,000 industry professionals from Russia, Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Kazakhstan, Central Asian republics, the U.S., the Middle East, and Africa. The event, continuing on Friday, September 5, featured speeches by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Deputy Minister Volkan Ağar, Turkish Grain Board (TMO) General Manager Ahmet Güldal, Director General of Food and Control Dr. Ersin Dilber, and IAOM President Scott Martin.
Delivering the keynote, Dr. Ulusoy said: “Eurasia is not just a geography; it is the heart of global food security. Turkey plays a leading role in this story. With our agricultural strength, production capacity, technology, and export capabilities, we are working to transform IAOM Eurasia’s vision into not only a regional but also a global power hub. Wheat and corn prices, which reached record levels in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine war, declined significantly in 2023 and 2024. FAO’s grain price index, which had peaked at 173 in May 2022, fell to 106 in July 2025, the lowest since October 2020. This is encouraging, since high food inflation has long been one of the greatest challenges facing many countries. As prices normalize, we are seeing relief on the consumer side.”
LICENSED WAREHOUSING IS THE STRONGEST GUARANTEE OF
FOOD SECURITY
Highlighting TMO’s intervention purchase price of TRY 13,500 per ton as a crucial step for sustainable production, Ulusoy said: “Turkey’s agricultural vision complements this with planned production, support based on supply-demand balance, bringing idle lands into agriculture, and expanding contract farming. The strongest guarantee of food security in Turkey is the licensed warehousing system managed by our Ministry of Trade. Although licensed warehousing, legislated in 2006, initially drew little investor interest, it began to grow rapidly after support measures introduced in 2014. Today, with 13.8 million tons of storage capacity and TMEX’s (Turkish Mercantile Exchange) cumulative trading volume of TRY 316 billion, this system forms the backbone of the agricultural sector. We thank Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and his team not only for licensed warehousing, but also for $50 billion Eximbank support and Turkey’s record-breaking $262 billion exports.”
Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat
“WE TRANSPORTED 33 MILLION TONS OF GRAIN IN ONE YEAR
VIA THE GRAIN CORRIDOR”
Speaking at the congress, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat said: “Agriculture and the food sector play a major role in our national economy. From fields to supermarket chains, nearly 10 million of our citizens earn their livelihood from this sector. Our production has increased tenfold. Turkey is one of the rare countries that is self-sufficient in food. We can produce nearly every type of product, even fruits and vegetables typical of tropical countries. Our priority is ensuring food security for our citizens, followed by exports. Turkey has made great progress, tripling its production value in dollar terms and raising exports from $3 billion to $33 billion in 22 years—a nearly tenfold increase. Grain has been the most critical driver. In coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkey has played a pioneering role in the grain corridor. In one year, we transported 33 million tons of grain to global markets, particularly Africa. Turkey ranks among the world’s top 10 wheat producers. According to the Ministry’s initial projections, wheat production is expected to reach 19.6 million tons. We also play an active role in flour and pasta exports, ranking first worldwide in flour and second in pasta.”
CONTRACT FARMING IS THE RIGHT MOVE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
TMO General Manager Ahmet Güldal added: “The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s planned production and contract farming policies, implemented over the last two years, are highly significant. In today’s shifting climate conditions, planned production is gaining even greater importance. Water management–based planning is critical in addressing climate change. Every main branch of agriculture is suitable for contract farming. Procedures have been finalized and communicated to sectors, and implementation has now begun. We went through a difficult period of drought, sometimes managing scarcity, sometimes abundance. Despite the partly negative picture, TMO was able to manage the situation. We are fully prepared in terms of stock and supply to ensure smooth grain logistics.”