The Competitiveness of Turkish Foreign Trade in Selected Agri-Food Products Compared to Other Candidate Countries

Abstract

This study evaluates the competitiveness of Türkiye’s agri-food foreign trade relative to other European Union (EU) candidate countries (CCs). It explores trade volumes to examine Türkiye’s position within the EU market. Competitiveness indicators show that the Turkish agri-food sector is well positioned to become a competitive player in the EU market, especially among the largest group of CCs covered by this analysis, with a high degree of specialization in fruit and vegetable exports. The analysis identifies Türkiye as a significant player due to its extensive agricultural land and diverse climate. However, challenges such as infra¬structural gaps and inconsistent policies limit its full potential. Targeted policy reforms and investments in infrastructure and technology are essential to further enhance Türkiye’s competitiveness.