Mainly agricultural machinery
Turkey: What is at stake for agriculture?
The relationship between Turkey and the Netherlands is brought to a head. President Erdogan is brooding on economic sanctions. What interests does the agricultural sector have in a good relationship with Turkey?
Turkey imported approximately 350 million euros worth of agricultural products from the Netherlands, which is approximately 3 percent of total Turkish agricultural imports in 2014. In addition, the Netherlands also imports goods for the same amount per year. This is evident from figures from the Dutch consulate. The Netherlands accounts for almost a quarter of all direct investment in the country, according to figures from Foreign Direct Investment. A total of 2.440 Dutch companies are active in Turkey. Most is invested in wholesale and retail, followed by construction.
Dutch exports to Turkey
The provisional Numbers of the CBS for 2016 designate the export of agricultural machinery and transport materials as the largest agricultural export product. Good for 1,64 million euros. Chemical products are in second place with 1,55 million euros. Food and live animals as a group account for more than 260.000 euros. Within this product group, fruit and vegetables account for the largest part: 25.000 euros. Dairy products were good for 10.000 euros and meat only 3.300 euros.
Rising
The CBS figures for agricultural products show an upward trend from 2010 onwards. From 176.000 euros to 260.647 euros in 2016. The total export value fluctuates slightly more. In 2016, it amounted to 58,7 million euros. That was 2015 million in 56,6 and 2014 million in 55,9.
Potato important in Turkish agriculture
The potato is one of the most important crops for Turkish agriculture. Dutch companies also play a role in this. After the government stimulated potato and seed production in the 70s and 80s, the acreage grew to a peak of 220.000 hectares and production of 6 million tons, until the beginning of the 21st century. In the following ten years, the acreage shrank by 35 percent. The hectare yield increased by 13 percent.
In 2013, the total harvest amounted to just under 4 million tons, from 125.000 hectares. The country has a number of large French fries and crisp producers. Well-known names such as Frito-Lay (Pepsico) and Lamb Weston/Meijer, but also major national producers.
Niels van der Boom
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