Turkey 2009 wheat output likely 20 million tonnes

Turkey's wheat output in 2009 is likely to rise to 20 million tonnes, from 17.8 million tonnes a year ago, Mehmet Mehdi Eker, minister for agriculture and rural affairs, said Thursday (February 26).

"Last year, we had severe droughts in some parts of the country due to which output fell. But, rainfall so far has been good this season," the minister said on the sidelines of an international conference.

Rains in March and April will be crucial for the growth of the wheat crop this year, he said.

He said Turkey's annual domestic wheat demand is around 17.5 million tonnes, and it may import 2 million tonnes for processing and re-exporting as products such as flour.