Agriculture

A favourable climate and proximity to affluent Europe and the dry Middle East make Turkey a global breadbasket and a natural destination for investors. Foreign direct investment is at unprecedented levels, reaching a total of $2.1bn by October 2012. Major government infrastructure projects are also set to boost the agriculture industry in the coming years. The sector is hampered by high levels of protection, inadequate irrigation, fragmented farms and limited access to capital to fund technological improvements. Although consolidation and mechanisation of the farming sector has resulted in fewer farm jobs, unemployment can be offset by the creation of new job in related industries such as food manufacturing. Turkey wants to see agricultural exports more than triple to $40bn over the next decade. Ideal ecological conditions, a well-developed industry, rising global demand and government support for investment make this a realistic target.