Turkey Faces Food Crisis Threat

Okan Ga'tanjoglu, a member of Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has stated that the country is heading towards a food crisis. This was reported by ermenihaber.am.

During a press conference held in Parliament, he noted that Turkey has serious problems in the agriculture and food sectors. According to Ga'tanjoglu, since transitioning to a presidential governance system, the government has reduced subsidies provided to farmers, while also eliminating import tariffs on agricultural products, which has harmed the competitiveness of local producers.

The opposition MP claimed that the ruling party (Justice and Development Party - AKP) has done nothing to curb the skyrocketing prices for fertilizers, which have increased by up to 700% during the coronavirus pandemic, while other countries have revised their agricultural funding.

“Turkey is heading towards a food crisis. Last year, a loaf of bread cost 1.5 lira; now it is 3-3.5 lira. This country should not import goods that it can produce itself, because even if you have money, there may come a day when you cannot make imports. There is serious tension between Russia and Ukraine. If we assume that Turkey imports almost half of its agricultural products from these countries, then in the event of war, they will no longer be able to import wheat. Turkey has no other choice but to protect and support its producers and become a producing country,” said the opposition MP.