Turkey’s TMO tenders for 255,000 tonnes of feed barley amid shrinking domestic output
Barley shortfall will push imports to about 1.7 million tonnes to satisfy domestic feed demand, particularly from livestock producers.
TURKEY – Turkey’s state grain board, Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi (TMO), has issued an international tender to purchase and import about 255,000 metric tons of animal feed barley, according to European traders.
The move underscores Ankara’s growing reliance on imports to stabilise the domestic grain market following a weak harvest last season.
The deadline for submission of price offers under the tender is February 11. The barley is sought for shipment between February 23 and March 23, to be delivered in a series of consignments ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 tons.
Traders said that barley already imported into Turkey and stored in customs-bonded warehouses is eligible for the tender, although domestic supplies are excluded.
Under the tender terms, shipments can be delivered to a wide range of Turkish ports, including Iskenderun, Adana, Mersin, Izmir, Bandirma, Tekirdag, Samsun, Trabzon and Giresun.
The broad port coverage is expected to attract offers from multiple origins and help TMO manage logistics efficiently across the country’s main feed-consuming regions.
Market participants say the tender reflects ongoing supply pressure in Turkey’s grain sector.
Turkey’s disappointing harvest of barley and other grains last year generated a clear need for imports to stabilise prices and ensure sufficient availability, particularly for the feed industry.
Barley is a key input for livestock and poultry producers, and tight domestic supplies have raised concerns over feed costs and production margins.
According to the latest update from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), barley production in the 2025–26 season is set to contract sharply to an estimated 5.1 million tonnes.
This would represent a decline of almost 2 million tonnes compared with the previous season. The projected shortfall is expected to drive a significant increase in grain imports, as domestic output falls short of demand.
The USDA FAS estimates that barley imports will rise to around 1.7 million tonnes in order to satisfy domestic feed demand, particularly from livestock producers.
Turkey has traditionally used a mix of imports, stock releases and market interventions by TMO to manage grain availability and limit price volatility, especially during years of poor harvests.
The new barley tender comes shortly after TMO announced the release of 3.9 million metric tons of corn, barley, milling wheat and durum wheat from its strategic stocks for sale.
That move was aimed at easing market tightness and supporting downstream users, including millers and feed manufacturers.
However, traders note that stock releases alone are unlikely to fully offset the impact of reduced production, making imports an essential component of Turkey’s supply strategy this season.
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