Ankara: Syria has overtaken Iraq to become Trkiye's primary destination for flour exports as of July, marking the first time in 15 years that Iraq has lost its position at the top. This shift was highlighted in a statement released by the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) Eurasia.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trkiye's flour export sector has shown significant growth, increasing its exports by 39% in October to reach 241,000 tons. This upturn has helped the sector regain momentum in the year's final quarter. Cumulatively, from January to October, Trkiye's flour exports reached 1.93 million tons, valued at $716 million.

Eren Gunhan Ulusoy, President of IAOM Eurasia, expressed the sector's goal to conclude the year with 2.4 million tons of flour exports. He also noted the significant change in export destinations, with Syria taking the lead from Iraq as of July. Ulusoy mentioned the sector's plans to double its exports to Syria by the year's end.

The decrease in exports to Iraq is attributed to increased investments in Iraq's flour industry and the introduction of a tax tariff, which reduced Trkiye's average 10-month exports from 1 million tons to 350,000 tons. In contrast, exports to Syria saw an increase, rising from 267,000 tons in 2023 to 326,000 tons in 2024.

Ulusoy added that 529,000 tons were exported to Syria in the first 10 months, with an aim to reach 650,000 tons by the end of the year, effectively doubling the exports to Syria.