Bulgur: no exports without imports

July 20, 2022 at 9:05 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

GAZIANTEP. A new import regulation is to ensure that food safety is guaranteed in Turkey. Global problems such as the Ukraine war, climate change and pandemics are to be counteracted in this way.

Focus on security of supply

A fundamental change has taken place in the Turkish bulgur market, affecting other agricultural products as well. In order to reduce the impact of the crisis in agricultural production due to the pandemic, the war between Russia and Ukraine and climate change, as well as the consequences for the security of food supply, a new "import regulation" was introduced in the course of a circular. Manufacturers and exporters who want to sell processed food such as bulgur, wheat flour, pasta, etc. must first import the corresponding raw materials so as not to deplete Turkish stocks; in return, customs duties on corresponding products are reduced or may even be waived altogether. This regulation will come into force on 1 August 2022.

Turkey is the most important exporter of wheat flour

In 2021, Turkey imported around 8.1 million mt of bread and durum wheat, which was destined for both domestic consumption and export. 65% of the imported wheat came from Russia. In return, the country exported USD 1.1 billion worth of flour - more than any other country in the world - pasta worth USD 766 million and bulgur worth USD 120 million. Bulgur exports as a whole are impressive: Last year Turkey shipped 238,139 mt overseas, and in the period January-March 2022 the figure was 83,142 mt. Important target countries are the Middle East, African countries, the USA and the EU. Prices for Turkish bulgur, medium, light, were last at USD 1.98/kg FOB Izmir.

Bulgur exports, Turkey

Year

mt

2018 

262,094 

2019 

262,615 

2020 

282,486 

2021 

238,139 

2022* 

83,142 

Trade sources, *Jan-Mar

View more
price charts for wheat, corn, pulses and many more products

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grain Products
Dec 21, 2023
ISTANBUL/BRUSSELS. EU importers heavily rely on Turkey for bulgur. Exports are going well for Turkey.
Grain Products
Oct 11, 2023
ISTANBUL. India’s ban on non-basmati rice exports, which became effective on 20 July 2023, has not only driven up global rice prices but has also turned bulgur into a highly attractive alternative. Although this will play into the hands of Turkey as leading exporter, shipments are not quite up to scratch this year.
Grain Products
Oct 25, 2022
GAZIANTEP. Bulgur exports from Turkey are developing positively year-on-year. Market players are confident that the lifting of export quotas on products such as bulgur will also boost trade again.
Grain Products
Sep 21, 2022
GAZIANTEP. Exporters have successfully campaigned for the suspension of the export quota for bulgur in Turkey. They are also quite satisfied with the export performance in August.