During the evaluation meeting organized by Turkish Grain Board (TMO) for the flour, pasta and bulgur sectors, the rapidly increasing wheat prices, especially in the Southeast Anatolia Region, were discussed.
Unexpected weather conditions in May and June caused yield and quality losses in wheat in Turkey. Therefore, regional yield losses increased wheat prices in Turkey. Ahmet Güldal, General Manager of the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), met with the flour, pasta and bulgur sector representatives on June 26 to discuss the situation. Sector representatives expressed their concerns about the rapid price increases due to the delayed wheat harvest. To reassure the concerned sector, Mr. Güldal said, “In recent days, especially in Southeastern Anatolia Region, artificial price increases have been observed due to the climatic reasons because of insufficient harvesting and low yield. There is no situation to worry about. In Thrace and the Central Anatolia, the harvest has just begun. Artificial price increases with the intensification of the harvest will return to normal. TMO monitors the markets closely”.
The Turkish National Grain Council expects 19-19.5 million tons of wheat yield for 2018/19 season. “Turkey’s 7 million hectares of the wheat area didn’t get rain in May as expected. We witnessed the driest May of the last 20 years. This situation affected especially wheat negatively and decreased the expected yield level in wheat. And excessive rains in June caused a small number of floods throughout the country. Wheat yield is expected to be around 19-19.5 million tons due to the negative effects in May and June.” the Council stated in its last forecast report.