Organized concurrently with the IDMA Istanbul exhibition, the IDMA Grain and Milling Forum commenced under the theme "Resilient Trade and Innovative Milling," bringing together global and local industry leaders in Istanbul. Hosting high-value sessions over two full days, the forum will address the strategic importance of grain, food supply security, 2026 yield expectations, and Turkey's global leadership in technology exports.

Evaluating the risks and opportunities of the global food ecosystem, the opening section of the forum featured strategy-shaping statements from Muhammet Ali Kalkan, Chairman of the Board of HAGE Group; Mesut Çakmak, President of TUSAF; and Ahmet Güldal, General Manager of TMO.

Muhammet Ali Kalkan, Chairman of the Board of HAGE Group

WHERE KNOWLEDGE IS SHARED, THERE IS SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Delivering the opening speech of the forum, Muhammet Ali Kalkan, Chairman of the Board of HAGE Group, emphasized that the organization moves far beyond being a mere technical event, serving as a strategic turning point that builds the future of the grain and food sectors. Expressing that he shares the exact same opening-day excitement at the launch of every IDMA throughout his quarter-century career in the exhibition industry, Kalkan made the following evaluations:

"The forum we inaugurate here today is not just a space where commodity trade is discussed; it is one of the strongest pillars of global social welfare, social stability, and sustainability. We are dissecting the risks faced by the global food system and the major opportunities ahead alongside representatives from highly competent and respected institutions from both Turkey and around the world. These leading figures of our industry add immense value to the forum with their knowledge and expertise. For we know very well that where knowledge is shared and collective intellect steps in, strong collaborations and sustainable growth follow. I hope this shared vision generated by the forum brings lasting benefits to the entire global food ecosystem."

TMO GENERAL MANAGER AHMET GÜLDAL: "WE STAND BY OUR PRODUCERS WITH A CAPACITY EXCEEDING 20 MILLION TONS"

Joining industrialists at the forum venue right in the midst of the intense harvest season, Ahmet Güldal, General Manager of TMO (Turkish Grain Board), shared their latest field observations and TMO's procurement strategies. Noting that following the low and erratic yields of 2025, the first half of 2026—particularly after January—witnessed the most intense and well-balanced rainfall of the last 38 years, Güldal stated that this bountiful landscape has largely closed the yield gap between dry and irrigated farming.

Ahmet Güldal, General Manager of TMO.

Expressing that they anticipate the Ministry's announced harvest forecasts of 22,750,000 tons of wheat and 9 million tons of barley will be surpassed in light of field observations, Güldal provided the following reassurances regarding the procurement process and storage preparations:

"We announced our purchase prices as of June 2nd. While determining our bread and durum wheat prices, we implemented positive discrimination for our Southeastern Anatolia region to support the cultivation of the world's highest quality durum wheat here. In Central Anatolia, we maintained the price balance, ensuring our producers received the correct message. As of today, the harvest has reached 14-15% across Turkey, and as TMO, we have completed 1 million tons of purchases in just 21 days. This is a very serious and significant operation."

Underlining that producers should harbor absolutely no anxieties regarding storage, Güldal noted that the entire logistical infrastructure has been fully prepared and concluded his speech as follows:

"We are at the service of our producers 6 days a week across all our procurement points. We will continue to disburse our payments on a regular schedule. Regarding storage, we have fully integrated the vacant capacities of licensed warehouses into TMO’s appointment system. In addition to our institution's own 10 million tons of vacant capacity, we utilize 4 million tons from licensed warehouses, 4 million tons from leased or contracted warehouses, and 3-4 million tons from our open-air storage facilities. In total, our infrastructure and readiness to accommodate over 20 million tons of product are fully complete. Our producers do not need to worry in the slightest; TMO is on the field with all its strength."

IN 2025 WE MANAGED SCARCITY, IN 2026 WE WILL MANAGE ABUNDANCE

Taking the floor at the opening, Mesut Çakmak, President of TUSAF (Turkish Flour Industrialists' Federation), began his speech by thanking the organizers for this visionary event that unites all industry stakeholders under one roof. Stating that with its 21-year journey, IDMA has now become one of the most important technology showcases not just for Turkey but for the entire world, Çakmak delivered critical messages regarding the 2026 harvest season:

"We are going through an incredibly important season for the grain sector. Due to the drought and frost we experienced in the 2025 season, we practically 'managed scarcity' alongside TMO and all our industry stakeholders. This year, however, a high yield awaits us driven by heavy rainfalls across Turkey, just as in the rest of the world. With an anticipated yield of 23-24 million tons, we will 'manage abundance' this year. Together with TMO, which holds a major say globally, we will resolutely remain one of the world's most critical grain supply hubs."

Mesut Çakmak, President of TUSAF

GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN MILLING MACHINERY

Reminding the audience that Turkey has evolved into a power that exports technology globally, rather than just exporting flour, TUSAF President Çakmak drew attention to the strong bond between industry and exports. Stating that Turkey's machinery exports caught a major momentum by exceeding the $28 billion threshold in 2025, Çakmak said, "Milling machinery accounts for $4.2 billion of these exports, placing Turkey 1st in the world in this field. Today, Turkish milling machinery manufacturers execute turnkey projects across vast geographies from Africa to the Middle East and South America. Our sector does not merely export machinery; it exports technology, value-added engineering, and know-how. It must not be forgotten that strong agriculture brings a strong industry, a strong industry brings strong exports, and strong exports bring a powerful economy." Çakmak concluded his speech by inviting all industry components to the TUSAF Congress, which will be held on April 8–11.