Our Chairman, Eyyüp Ergan, attended the Expanded Commodity Exchanges Council Meeting organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). The meeting, hosted by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, featured the participation of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı and council members.
During his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the strategic importance of agriculture and livestock sectors, stressing the necessity of continuous attention and development in these fields. He highlighted TOBB’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the sector, including launching the licensed warehousing process.
"We pioneered the establishment of the first licensed warehouses in Turkey and facilitated investments by our Commodity Exchanges and the private sector. This ensured not only safe and healthy storage but also improved farmers' access to financing and eased industrialists' access to raw materials. With the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, we also launched Turkey’s first and only Specialized Products Exchange (TÜRİB), introducing a commodity exchange for agricultural and livestock products to our country,” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated.
He also underlined the central role of Commodity Exchanges in agricultural trade, mentioning that the world’s first commodity exchange was identified in the 4th century in Aizonai, an ancient city in Kütahya-Çavdarhisar. Hisarcıklıoğlu added that sector councils, composed of leading companies, collaborate with public institutions to address issues and develop solutions.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı noted that the sector’s development and competitive strength depend on various factors and dynamics. He acknowledged the dedicated efforts of sector representatives across Turkey in planting, harvesting, processing, and branding. Yumaklı affirmed that the Ministry fully supports producers and mobilizes all resources for sectoral advancement.
Highlighting the importance of utilizing national resources efficiently, Minister Yumaklı mentioned initiatives such as planning in plant and animal production and aquaculture, integrating uncultivated lands into production, registering agricultural areas, promoting contract farming, and launching agricultural surveys as revolutionary steps in agriculture.
Following the speeches, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Minister İbrahim Yumaklı signed the "Industrial Water Efficiency Cooperation Protocol," marking an important collaboration for sustainable development.
