May 8, 2009

Turkey's state grain board TMO on Thursday (May 7) said it a wheat import tender this year is unlikely as it expects the country's wheat output to rise to 20 million tonnes from the previous year's 17.8 million tonnes.

TMO Chairman Mesut Kose said the board may consider export tenders for surplus wheat and barley, and it may also import up to 49,000 tonnes of rice this year.

Turkey, traditionally self-sufficient in food, saw its grain crop was struck by drought last year, prompting heavy import grains in a series of international tenders.

Total grain production is expected to top 35 million tonnes this year from 30 million tonnes last year Kose said, due to favourable weather conditions.

Barley output is expected to reach 7.5 million tonnes, up from last year's 5.9 million tonnes.

TMO is considering a ban on wheat imports by private sector firms in an effort to prevent steep price falls that will hurt local farmers, Kose said.

The TMO may sell excess wheat and barley output if the government allocates funds for the board to make purchases from farmers, he said.

Kose said exports are also considered with Russia as a possible buyer if the TMO purchases surplus output and this increases the stocks significantly, because not all countries in the world expect a rise in production.

The government is expected to decide in the coming days whether the TMO will purchase grain from farmers this year.