NEW HABITS THAT MAY INFLUENCE TURKEY’S FOOD POLICIES, BY OUR AGRICULTURE EXPERT

A KEY OUTCOME OF COVID -19 HAS BEEN CHANGES IN CONSUMPTION HABITS, ESPECIALLY IN FOOD PRODUCTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AFTER THE PANDEMIC PASSES. WE BREAK DOWN THE NEW HABITS THAT MAY INFLUENCE TURKEY’S FOOD POLICIES.

1

DELIVERIES AND ONLINE SHOPPING

Because of quarantines and stay at home orders, online shopping has become even more popular. Indeed, during the pandemic virtual shopping , even for groceries, has become mandatory for some people, like the elderly. This is likely to continue as more and more people experience the ease and convenience of home deliveries.

2

DEMAND FOR NON˹PERISHABLES

Because of their long shelf life, demand for frozen and canned products has increased, particularly in fish products. Access to fresh fish has become difficult during the pandemic as fish auctions have remained closed. Canned fish, on the other hand, especially tuna, has almost sold out.

3

COOKING AT HOME

In recent years, home yogurt production has become popular as a pushback against industrial products. The pandemic has extended this trend to bread and other bakery products. Traditional home cooking was disappearing among urban young people, who preferred fast food and brunches with friends. Now, cooking at home has skyrocketed. The older generation is again transfering recipes to the young.

4

TRANSITION AWAY FROM BULK BUYING

Bulk goods have been replaced by packaged products in many food categories, including vegetables and fruits as well as dried foods. Tomatoes, apples, oranges and other fruits and vegetables, even onions and potatoes, are now being sold in packages. The consumer is now relying on sight rather than touch to choose which fruit or vegetable to take. Thus, product presentation in half-, oneor two-kilogram packages has become common, both in the domestic market and in exports. The consumer does not want to buy a product touched by others.

5

RISING INTEREST IN LEGUMES

Increasing demand in recent years for legumes, such as chickpeas, lentils, red beans, black eyed peas and broad beans, has continued during the pandemic, in part for their reputation as healthy meat-substitutes and long shelf life. Raising lentil and fava bean production, similar to what it did with chickpeas, will give Turkey significant advantages both in terms of domestic consumption and exports. The Turkish Grain Board’s decision to increase the red lentil purchase price by 40 percent compared to the previous year, from TRY 2,500 to 3,500 per tonne, is now looking almost prophetic. Similar moves should be made with other legume products.

6 FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION INCREASING

Health experts’ guidance on the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, expecially those containing vitamin C, to strengthen the immune system against the coronavirus, has increased the consumption of these products. Orange, lemon, garlic, broccoli and similar products are in high demand. Fruit and vegetable consumption has increased, especially in Europe, opening up new opportunities for fresh fruit and vegetable exports. Turkey possesses a key advantage after increasing fruit production in recent years. However, farmers should bear in mind that diversity will mean sustainability.

7

FOOD AS POLITICAL ISSUE

The pandemic has raised awareness of issues related to food security. With fears over hunger and access to food on the rise, consumers have begun to look more closely at how agricultural production in Turkey is handled. Everyday people have become more sensitive to issues of production, production planning, what farmer earn and similar issues.

8

SMALL˹SCALE FARMING

Family farms and micro-farming are expected top the agenda in the food security debate. There is now a growing understanding of the relationship between pandemics and the destruction of nature with the spread of industrial production. Consequently, interest in eco-friendly farming instead of industrial farming, is on the rise, as is recognition of the cooperative system.

9

SELF˹SUFFICIENCY

Self-sufficiency in terms of food production is now gaining some traction. There is growing enthusiasm and desire to grow plants on balconies, terraces and backyards. Thus, agricultural land has become more valuable than ever as more people consider buying land and growing food for themselves.

10 DIGITALIZATION IN AGRICULTURE ON THE RISE

On the industrial side, the use of technology is increasing for those who produce in larger volumes. Large-scale farming operations will be on the hunt for technology investments such as drones, remote monitoring and sensors. This will be the beginning of a new era in agriculture. In short, the pandemic offers an opportunity to shift our farming techniques to a healthier and more reliable system. Turkey has great potential in this regard but there is a need for leadership to evaluate those opportunities.