Global meet in Antalya sets trends in legumes

Some 585 delegates and 331 companies from 40 countries including those from the Americas, Middle East and Far East, are attending the convention, one of the most respected organizations in defining and setting the trends in the sector. The summit is also expected to contribute to the publicity of Turkey and Antalya on the international platform.

Speaking in the opening session, Jose Maria Lazara, president of CICILs, defined the mission of the organization: "To facilitate the free movement of legumes across the world." The global economic crisis can be turned into an advantage, he said, adding that the meeting is a good way to see the pros and cons of current conditions.

"Some key countries, including Turkey, Canada and Australia, supply 65 percent of global exports in the pulse sector," he said.

"The International Pulses Trade and Industry Confederation is of great importance in that it helps to promote free trade among countries, brings the international bodies of opinion together, thus establishing the content within the industry zones, and facilitates consumption in traditional and non-traditional markets," said Hüseyin Arslan, a member on the confederation board. "Turkey plays a crucial role in pulses trade, in terms of both production and marketing. Moreover, it has been one of the major exporters for years," said Arslan, adding that keeping a close eye on new trends and developments in the sector will open new horizons for sector players.

Speaking at the Convention, Antalya Governor Alaaddin Yüksel mentioned the importance of Antalya to Turkish tourism. "Attracting millions of tourists every year, this southern city substantially contributes to the national economy," he said.

"A serious number of people are faced with the danger of starvation in the world today. Especially with the economic crisis, many are in difficulty in supplying the needs of themselves and their families," said Yüksel, noting that legumes are a crucial part of the chain of nutrition.

"This Convention is really important for the sector. It sets the trends thanks to opinions by sector representatives. As a sector player, we need to keep a close watch on the developments," said Wang Yuan, representative of Jilin Cereals, Oil & Foodstuffs Import and Export, based in China.

 Evaluating the legumes sector in the world and in Turkey, Mehdi Eker, Minister of Agriculture, noted that oil prices, global warming and consumption habits all depend on nutrition and food industry. "The rapid decline in oil prices in the second half of 2008 greatly affected agriculture," he reminded. "With the emergence of the energy crisis, the allocation of some agricultural products to energy production was on the agenda, which adversely affected prices."

Being both an importer and exporter, Turkey ranks the third in the world’s red split lentils production, with 14 percent. It also produces 5.4 percent of global chickpeas, 1 percent of white beans and 0.4 percent of broad beans.