Aykut Göymen, President of the Pasta Industrialists Association of Turkey (TMSD), said that 2.5 million tons of pasta is produced annually in Turkey. Stating that pasta exports from Turkey amounted to nearly 1 billion dollars last year, Göymen said that the sector’s exports increased day by day and reached 379 million 475 thousand dollars in the first 5 months of the year.

Göymen pointed out that wheat yield increased with the rainfall this year and added:

 “The quality and quantity of wheat this year is very satisfying. We are getting the best crop of the last 5 years. The farmer really took care of their wheat and soil. In previous years, barley yields in barren lands were 150-200 kilograms, while wheat yields were around 200-300 kilograms per 1,000 square meters. The information we are receiving now makes us really happy. They get 500 kilograms of wheat on barren land. When we have water, it will reach 700 kilograms on average. The rainfall was not good at first; there was a danger of drought. But then, with the precipitation, the product is thankfully rebounded.

The announced wheat purchase price will not harm the farmer. Wheat yield is pleasing. For the last 3-4 years we had to manage somehow through imports. We haven’t used imported wheat to make pasta. Turkey ranks second in pasta exports and is on track to achieve a new record. While fulfilling domestic market demands with domestic products, we still rely on imports as they don’t fully meet the needs of foreign markets. This year, God willing, we will be happy to make the entire export with our own wheat.”