Speaking at the IDMA Global Grain & Milling Forum in Istanbul, TUSAF Chairman Mesut Çakmak said Türkiye has become a global force not only in flour production and exports, but also in milling technology, engineering and turnkey plant solutions. Pointing to expectations of a strong 2026 harvest, Çakmak said: “Last season, we managed scarcity. This season, we will manage abundance.”

Mesut Çakmak, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (TUSAF), delivered a strong message on Türkiye’s growing role in the global grain and milling ecosystem during his address at the IDMA Global Grain & Milling Forum. Bringing together leading representatives of global grain trade, flour milling, pasta, feed and grain processing technologies, IDMA served as a major international platform for the sector in Istanbul. Çakmak described IDMA not merely as a trade fair, but as a broad ecosystem where agriculture, industry, technology and exports come together. He underlined that IDMA has become one of the world’s most important events in the field of milling and food processing technologies, providing a strategic showcase for Türkiye’s industrial capabilities and international competitiveness.

TURKIYE PREPARES FOR A STRONG 2026 GRAIN SEASON

Mesut Çakmak

Çakmak devoted a significant part of his speech to the 2026 harvest season, noting that the sector is going through a highly important period. Referring to the challenges faced in the 2025 season due to drought and frost, he said the sector, together with the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) and other stakeholders, had worked to “manage scarcity.” For the 2026 season, however, Çakmak said expectations point to a much stronger production outlook. “This season, we will manage abundance,” he said, adding that Türkiye’s wheat production is expected to reach 23–24 million tons. Highlighting the strategic nature of wheat, Çakmak said: “Wheat is not only a commodity; it is also a strategic security element.”

‘TURKIYE RANKS FIRST IN GLOBAL MILLING MACHINERY EXPORTS’

He emphasized that Türkiye has one of the most advanced milling infrastructures in the world. The country, he noted, has long been among the leading players in global flour trade and also holds a strong position in pasta, bulgur and semolina products.

Çakmak stressed that Türkiye’s progress in the milling sector is no longer limited to exports of finished grain-based products. Turkish companies, he said, are now exporting technology, engineering know-how and integrated solutions. According to Çakmak, Türkiye’s total machinery exports reached approximately $28.7 billion in 2025, while exports of milling machinery rose to around $420 million, placing Türkiye in the top global position in this field.

He said Turkish milling machinery companies do much more than sell equipment. They develop projects, build plants, provide training, install automation systems and transfer technical know-how to markets around the world. Çakmak noted that Turkish companies are delivering turnkey milling plants across a wide geography, including Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, South America and many other regions.

DIGITALIZATION, AI AND SUSTAINABILITY WILL DEFINE THE NEXT PHASE

Looking ahead, Çakmak identified digitalization, AI-supported production systems, energy efficiency, sustainable production and reduction of carbon footprints as key areas that will shape competition in the coming period. He said TUSAF will continue working with producers, industrialists, exporters and public institutions to strengthen Türkiye’s global competitiveness. “Without strong agriculture, there can be no strong industry; without strong industry, there can be no strong exports; and without strong exports, there can be no strong economy,” Çakmak said.

At the end of his speech, Çakmak thanked IDMA Chairman Ali Kalkan, the IDMA team and all stakeholders who contributed to the organization. He also invited sector representatives to the next TUSAF Congress, which will be held in Northern Cyprus on April 8–11, 2027.

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