ANKARA, TURKEY — Turkey’s wheat and barley production expectations in 2023-24 increased slightly after generous spring rains following a historic winter drought, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.

Wheat production was revised higher to 18.5 million tonnes and barley to 7.8 million tonnes.

“Better yields compared to last year due to improved weather conditions mostly offset production losses from the winter drought,” the FAS said.

Corn harvest of first-crop planting will start at the end of August. Production for 2023-24 is forecast at 8 million tonnes due to a sizable expansion in the area harvested as farmers switched from cotton to corn.

Wheat imports for 2023-24 are forecast at 8.25 million tonnes due to the high turnover of stocks from the previous year. Imports in 2022-23 reached 12 million tonnes, a record level.

Key suppliers were Russia at 8.3 million tonnes and Ukraine at 3.2 million tonnes.

“The historic winter drought and the elimination of tariffs that lasted until May allowed both the government and the private sector to a historic record 12 million tonnes of wheat imports last year,” the FAS said.  

Wheat and wheat product exports are estimated at 7.25 million tonnes, slightly higher than 2022-23 due to better domestic durum wheat production.