Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food and Community, Alois Rainer, has become the first German agriculture minister to visit Turkey in ten years.
The focus of his inaugural visit was on deepening cooperation in the agricultural and food sectors and expanding the partnership’s trade relations. Following bilateral talks, Minister Rainer and his Turkish counterpart, Ibrahim Yumakli, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, signed a joint declaration of intent in Ankara.
Federal Minister Alois Rainer stated: “We want to deepen cooperation with Turkey and thereby generate new momentum for German agricultural and food exports – fully in line with our agricultural export strategy. Specifically, this involves expanding trade in goods and technology, as well as research cooperation, to the benefit of both sides and on an equal footing. With this joint declaration of intent, we are underscoring our shared commitment to closer cooperation. There is still considerable potential here. I thank Minister Yumakli for the very productive and trusting discussion.”
Key contents of the joint declaration of intent:
- Elimination of trade barriers for agricultural products, foodstuffs, agricultural technologies and related services
- Constructive exchange of expertise
- Deepening cooperation in agricultural research
- Strengthening cooperation in plant health and veterinary medicine
Furthermore, both ministers agreed to revive the German-Turkish agricultural policy steering committee. In the future, the state secretaries of both countries will meet annually, alternating between Germany and Turkey, to discuss current agricultural policy issues and initiate bilateral cooperation. The steering committee last met in 2019.
Another focus of the trip is the exchange with representatives from the business community. Federal Minister Rainer met with the Union of Chambers and Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and representatives of German and Turkish companies to discuss how trade between the two countries can be strengthened and deepened. The program also includes visits to innovative companies and businesses, including a drone and robotics start-up. Furthermore, the Federal Minister will learn about the progress of the German-Turkish association cooperation aimed at specifically promoting women in agricultural cooperatives.
Turkey is a significant partner of Germany in the agricultural and food sectors. It is an important supplier of agricultural products to the German market, such as apricots, hazelnuts, figs, tomatoes, and dried fruit. At the same time, the Turkish market offers considerable growth potential for German agricultural and food products. Demand for processed foods and convenience products is increasing, as is the need for modern machinery for processing and packaging, as well as innovative agricultural technology. According to forecasts, Turkey is expected to be among the fastest-growing economies globally in the long term.
