Flour exports, negatively impacted by wheat import restrictions lifted as of March 19, declined by 39.7% in the first three months of the year. With wheat flour exports amounting to 605,000 tons in the first quarter, the sector anticipates surpassing 3.5 million tons by year-end following the removal of wheat import limitations.

The cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and processed products sector—encompassing key food items such as wheat flour, pasta, vegetable oils, biscuits, and sugary and cocoa-based products—recorded a three-month export total of USD 3.2 billion. Despite a 3.9% increase in exports during this period, the cereals sector boosted its share of agricultural product exports to 50.5%. Total cereal exports reached 3.4 million tons, up 5.3% from the same period last year. Chocolate and cocoa-containing products led as the most exported category with USD 292 million, followed by sunflower oil at USD 270.4 million. Due to wheat import restrictions, wheat flour exports dropped 39.7% to USD 232.4 million, reducing its share of total cereal exports to 7.2%. Iraq topped the list of export destinations with USD 539.1 million.

Ahmet Tiryakioğlu

Ahmet Tiryakioğlu, Chairman of the TİM Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Processed Products Sector Council, commented on the export figures and wheat import restrictions:
“We expect wheat flour exports, which stood at 605,000 tons in the first quarter, to exceed 3.5 million tons by year-end now that wheat import restrictions have been lifted. As the world’s leading wheat flour exporter, our agricultural strategies directly influence global commodity prices. Since June last year, wheat import quotas caused our flour exports to fall by about 600,000 tons compared to the previous year. With global wheat prices hovering at a more favorable USD 250 per ton, domestically sourced raw materials diminished our competitive edge in exports. During this period, we shifted focus to other product exports, while competitors like Egypt sought new opportunities, particularly in African markets. Over the past nine months, the gap between domestic and international markets narrowed somewhat due to currency appreciation. A decline in Russia’s wheat supply drove up raw material prices, partially offset by fluctuations from Trump’s tariffs. Moving forward, we anticipate a rapid rise in flour exports to high-demand regions, especially Syria, where we’ve built strong trade ties.”

“Our Priority in the U.S. Is Staying on Shelves”
Noting that cereal exports to the U.S. rose nearly 20% year-over-year to almost USD 200 million in the first quarter, making the sector one of Turkey’s top six exporters to the U.S. market, Ahmet Tiryakioğlu, Chairman of the TİM Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Processed Products Sector Council, stated:
“The U.S.’s new customs policies impose 20% tariffs on the EU and 26% on India, giving Turkey a relative tariff advantage that heightens our interest in this market. U.S. consumers’ demand for healthy products, the rise of gluten-free diets, vegan trends, and functional foods opens a window of opportunity for Turkish agricultural goods. Traditional products like bulgur, chickpeas, and lentils align with modern dietary trends, which I believe will boost trade collaborations. However, the U.S. stands out not just for its massive market size but also for its complex distribution networks, consumer sensitivities, and intense competition. We know that entering shelves isn’t enough—staying there is key to growing our share. This demands more strategic approaches to branding, product design, packaging, and pricing than ever before.”

“We Want to Go Beyond Ethnic Market Limits”
Highlighting that U.S. distribution channels are largely controlled by wholesalers who supply products through brokers and sub-distributors rather than selling directly, Tiryakioğlu added:
“Getting products into the market is far more complex than shipping a few containers. We need new strategies to secure a place in distribution networks and, crucially, to break beyond ethnic market boundaries. As competitors unable to adapt to shifting consumer preferences vanish from shelves, we must excel with market-fit products, packaging language, and marketing. Trade fairs in the U.S. are not just promotional tools but vital entry points into the system. Events like the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York this summer will serve as critical touchpoints for connecting with other links in the distribution chain. American consumers are highly price-sensitive. Studies show demand for imports is elastic, with affordable products seeing rapid uptake. In the new cost dynamics of the Trump era, Turkey’s quality-price balance can make a difference if backed by the right strategies.”