TÜRKIYE – Türkiye, the world’s largest flour exporter, has eased its wheat import rules ahead of the scheduled expiration of a temporary import ban, set to end at midnight on October 15, according to the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (TUSAF).
The move comes after a four-month suspension of wheat imports, which was intended to protect local farmers and promote domestic grain procurement by the Turkish State Grain Board (TMO).
In June 2024, Türkiye implemented the import ban to support its agricultural sector, stabilize wheat prices, and encourage local sourcing through TMO.
This was in response to a global wheat market disrupted by the Russia-Ukraine war, where Türkiye traditionally sources significant volumes of wheat, particularly from Russia.
The ban had effectively halted Türkiye’s wheat imports from Black Sea producers, leading to concerns about the supply for the country’s pasta and flour-making industries.
The easing of rules, however, still maintains certain restrictions. Haluk Tezcan, head of TUSAF, announced that millers and product exporters are now permitted to import wheat under a revised framework.
“Wheat imports have been allowed for millers and product exporters, with 85% of purchases to be made from grain board stocks, and after purchase is fulfilled, the remaining 15% through private imports,” Tezcan stated.
These rules are expected to stay in place until the end of the year.
The gradual lifting of the import restrictions follows mounting pressure from the flour milling sector, which had petitioned for flexibility in sourcing wheat.
Flour mills had requested to import at least 15% of their grain needs privately, arguing that exclusive reliance on domestic sources threatened production continuity.
The Turkish government has yet issued no official statement on the expiry of the import ban or whether the relaxed rules would change after the end of the year.
However, commodity traders speculate that substantial volumes of Russian wheat, already stored in Türkiye’s bonded warehouses, are poised to enter the market. These bonded stocks, which do not count as imports until sold domestically, could swiftly boost local supply, easing concerns about shortages.
Bloomberg News also highlighted that while the ban is being lifted, some restrictions on wheat imports will remain to manage Türkiye’s grain reserves.
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