DEVELOPMENT IN SOYBEAN PRODUCTION AND FOREIGN TRADE IN TURKEY

Abstract

In addition to being an essential component of both human and animal diet plus industrial applications, soybean is a product that yields more and cheaper plant-based protein in a unit of area. Soybean consumption in Turkey has reached 1,8 million tons, despite varying from year to year in recent years. Soybean production 2016 in Turkey was about 165 thousand tons. Consequently, only %9 of the consumption is fulfilled by local production. Turkey has a significant potential for soybean production due to suitable climatic conditions. However, it cannot compete against alternative crops in areas it is grown due to high production input and low crop yield. For this reason, soybean production has not been able to achieve the desired target. According to the Turkish Statistical Institution data, soybean production in Turkey is not generally stable, but it is fluctuating with periodic increases and decreases depending on agriculture policies. Identifying problems and taking the necessary precautions with work to be done will increase the contribution of soybean production to both the country and the regional economy. This study will examine developments in sowing area, production amount and yield to evaluate the present situation of soybean production in Turkey during the period covering 2004-2016 and developments in foreign trade and price in the period covering 2000-2013 years. Soybean is projected to be grown in 15 of the 30 agricultural basins identified by the Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. If soybean farming becomes popular, soybean output will increase, and dependence on imports will decrease. In connection with the findings obtained, suggestions will be made about how to increase soybean production and popularisation.