Marking World Pasta Day on October 25, Aykut Göymen, President of the Turkish Pasta Manufacturers Association (TMSD), told BBM Magazine that Türkiye has consolidated its position as one of the world’s leading pasta producers and exporters, with annual production exceeding 2.2 million tonnes and exports reaching more than 165 countries. Göymen also highlighted a new chapter for the industry, shaped by changing consumer habits among younger generations, sustainability, food security and social responsibility.
Aykut Göymen
Pasta, one of the world’s most widely consumed staple foods, is once again taking centre stage in the global food industry as World Pasta Day is celebrated on October 25. Affordable, nutritious, shelf-stable and highly adaptable to different culinary cultures, pasta is enjoyed by consumers around the world while also representing one of the strongest export categories of Türkiye’s food industry.
Speaking to BBM Magazine, Aykut Göymen, President of the Turkish Pasta Manufacturers Association, stressed that World Pasta Day is about much more than celebrating a popular food. It also represents sustainable nutrition, global food security, a culture of sharing and the ability of food to bring different cultures together around the same table.
Pointing to the Turkish pasta industry’s important role in the origins of World Pasta Day, Göymen said, “October 25, World Pasta Day, is a gift from Turkish pasta manufacturers to the world.” He recalled that last year Türkiye hosted World Pasta Day for the third time, with celebrations held in Istanbul, and noted that the 2026 World Pasta Day events will take place in Parma, Italy, on October 27–28.
Türkiye produces more than 2.2 million tonnes of pasta
The global pasta industry has developed into a major segment of the international food sector. According to figures shared by Göymen, annual pasta production worldwide now exceeds 17.3 million tonnes, while Türkiye stands out as one of the industry’s leading production centres with output of more than 2.2 million tonnes.
Göymen said Türkiye ranks as the world’s second-largest pasta producer and exporter, supported by modern production facilities, high-quality durum wheat and strong international competitiveness.
Turkish pasta manufacturers now export to more than 165 countries, generating added value for the national economy while bringing Turkish pasta to consumers across a remarkably diverse range of markets.
“As the Turkish pasta industry, with our modern facilities, high-quality durum wheat and competitive strength, we export to more than 165 countries. In doing so, we create added value for our economy while enriching tables around the world,” Göymen said.
Pasta is gaining a new identity among younger consumers
The transformation of the pasta industry is not limited to production and export figures. Changing consumer behaviour is also reshaping pasta’s role in everyday diets. In particular, the cooking, sharing and social media habits of younger generations are giving pasta a new identity.
Göymen pointed to growing interest in pasta across digital platforms, noting that younger consumers increasingly see cooking at home not simply as a necessity but as a form of social interaction and sharing.
This shift is taking pasta beyond its traditional image as an affordable and convenient meal. It is increasingly becoming a product through which consumers experiment with recipes, express their creativity and create shared experiences with friends and family.
Göymen noted that pasta has long held an important place in Turkish cuisine, but its perception and patterns of consumption are evolving rapidly with younger generations. Pasta is now becoming part of a broader social experience in which young consumers enter the kitchen, explore their creativity and bring new ideas to gatherings with friends.
“Turkish people love sharing and gathering around crowded tables. Pasta is exactly the kind of food that fits this culture,” Göymen said, adding that consumers are bringing new dynamism to pasta by combining traditional Turkish flavours with innovative sauces and recipes inspired by cuisines from around the world.
Pasta’s role in global food security is growing
Food security and access to food are also becoming increasingly important issues for the global pasta industry. Climate change, fluctuations in agricultural production, economic uncertainty and disruptions to supply chains have pushed the accessibility of staple foods higher on the international agenda.
Göymen said the world is facing two contrasting challenges: food insecurity on one side and nutritional imbalances on the other. In this environment, he believes pasta can play an important role at the intersection of these two issues.
Its affordability, nutritional value, long shelf life and low carbon footprint give pasta significant advantages within the food systems of the future. Göymen also stressed that the industry’s approach to production is evolving in line with these priorities.
Turkish producers are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices, he said, while emphasising that sustainability should not be viewed solely in terms of the environmental performance of production facilities.
A commitment to donate one billion servings of pasta in 10 years
The pasta industry is also strengthening the social responsibility dimension of its efforts to address global food insecurity. Göymen highlighted an ambitious commitment made by industry representatives under the umbrella of the International Pasta Organisation (IPO).
The industry has pledged to donate a total of one billion servings of pasta over a ten-year period to support efforts against food insecurity around the world. According to Göymen, nearly 150 million servings have already been donated even though less than two years have passed since the initiative began.
Göymen said Turkish pasta producers also regard social solidarity as a fundamental responsibility of the industry.
“Whenever there is a need, whether in Türkiye or elsewhere in the world, we see sharing the bread and pasta on our tables not simply as a responsibility, but as an essential duty,” he said.
Emphasising that the industry’s production capacity should generate social value as well as economic value, Göymen added: “We continue both to produce and to share with a strong sense of social responsibility. We will continue to put our production strength at the service of humanity.”
A powerful value chain from field to table
Türkiye’s global success in pasta is also built on the combined efforts of an extensive production and supply chain. From durum wheat farmers to employees at pasta factories, and from packaging suppliers to logistics and distribution companies, a broad network of stakeholders contributes to the industry’s performance.
Marking World Pasta Day, Göymen expressed his confidence in the future of the Turkish pasta industry and thanked all those who contribute to its success.
“Pasta is a symbol of simplicity, abundance and sharing. It brings more than just a plate of food to our tables; it brings conversation, joy and togetherness,” Göymen said.
“We believe in the future of the Turkish pasta industry. From our farmers in the fields to our factory workers, and from packaging to distribution, we extend our gratitude to all industry employees, stakeholders and colleagues who contribute to this great success, as well as to all consumers who make room for us at their tables. May your tables always be filled with flavour and joy. Happy World Pasta Day on October 25.”
Türkiye’s production and export scale demonstrates that its pasta industry has developed far beyond a sector focused solely on the domestic market or a limited number of export destinations. Today, modern production facilities and a strong durum wheat base are being combined with changing consumer expectations and a growing focus on sustainability and social responsibility.
From this perspective, World Pasta Day is more than an annual celebration for the industry. It provides an opportunity to highlight pasta’s increasingly multidimensional role — from agricultural production and industrial manufacturing to international trade, consumer culture and global food security.