Bulgur: Turkey to profit from India’s export ban on rice

October 11, 2023 at 11:02 AM , Der AUDITOR
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ISTANBUL. India’s ban on non-basmati rice exports, which became effective on 20 July 2023, has not only driven up global rice prices but has also turned bulgur into a highly attractive alternative. Although this will play into the hands of Turkey as leading exporter, shipments are not quite up to scratch this year.

Exports not up to scratch

As Turkish Food Exporters (TGİ) and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) highlight Turkey’s local rice production meets nearly 70% of consumption meaning that the country is not quite as badly affected by the recent price rises. Drought in Asia coupled with India’s export ban prompted global rice prices to reach their highest in fifteen years. Aim is to promote Turkish bulgur as attractive alternative.

Changing consumer lifestyles and rising demand for organic food have prompted the bulgur market to grow in recent years. Turkey is a leading producer of the processed food with annual output ranging at 1.24 million mt, of which 22% are exported. Average exports range at 250,000 mt per year as Turkey is in a strategically good location in the Middle East. Advantage is also that bulgur is more nutritious than white rice and couscous as it contains more fibres, vitamins and mineral and has a lower glycemic index of 46, whereas white rice has 73 and couscous 72.

Yet, Turkey not even exported 158,000 mt of bulgur between January and September. The export value only stands at USD 98 million. Exports ranged at a much higher 180,000 mt worth almost USD 108 million in the same period last year. At USD 0.62/kg average export prices are, however, on par with last year. In 2021, average prices ranged at a much lower USD 0.50/kg. The prices for fine bulgur have recently declined to USD 7.00/kg FOB Turkey.

Bulgur exports, Turkey

Year

mt

2018

262,094

2019

262,615

2020

282,486

2021

238,139

2022

258,974

2023*

157,783

TİM (Turkish Exporters Assembly)
*January-September

Grains, pulses and oilseeds as valuable source of income

While bulgur is taking the lead, Turkey is also keen to promote a whole range of other food products. TGİ recently stated that food product exports increased by 12% in the first nine months of the year to USD 9.2 billion. Monthly exports of cereals, pulses and oilseeds were also 21% up in September as compared with September 2022. Iraq, Italy and the USA are the most important export destinations for this sector.

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