By Bosphorus News Economy Desk
Türkiye ranked among the fastest-growing major agricultural import markets tracked by North Dakota State University (NDSU) in 2025, while US farm exports to the country also increased and Turkish fertilizer supply remained exposed to Gulf shipping routes.
The figures appear across several editions of the NDSU Agricultural Trade Monitor, published by the university's Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies using international trade data including the S&P Global Trade Atlas.
Türkiye's Agricultural Imports Rose More Than 20%
NDSU's July 2025 monitor placed Türkiye among the strongest agricultural import-growth markets in its comparison of major economies.
Türkiye and Malaysia recorded year-to-date growth of more than 20 percent in agricultural imports by value. China's imports fell 18 percent over the same comparison.
Türkiye already accounted for about 2 percent of global agricultural imports in 2024, according to the NDSU data. Malaysia stood at 2.1 percent, Indonesia at 1.8 percent and Saudi Arabia at 1.7 percent.
The figures show that Türkiye entered 2025 as an established agricultural buyer and then expanded imports at one of the fastest rates among the markets examined by NDSU.
US Farm Exports to Türkiye Gained $203 Million
NDSU's January 2026 monitor showed US agricultural exports to Türkiye rising by $203 million year on year in January-October 2025.
The increase came as total US agricultural exports fell by $1.697 billion over the same period.
China accounted for the largest decline, down $11.307 billion, while Canada was down $1.199 billion. Türkiye was among the markets where US agricultural sales increased.
The $203 million figure measures the year-on-year change in US exports to Türkiye, not the total value of bilateral agricultural trade.
Türkiye-Bound Fertilizer Through Hormuz Reached 800,000 Tons
NDSU's March 2026 monitor put Türkiye-bound fertilizer and fertilizer raw materials moving through the Strait of Hormuz at 0.8 million metric tons in 2024.
The estimate covers anhydrous ammonia, diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), sulfur and urea.
NDSU estimated total fertilizer exports through Hormuz at about 39 million metric tons in 2024. India received 9.7 million tons, Brazil 4.4 million, China 3.9 million, Australia 2.3 million and the United States 2 million. Türkiye received about 800,000 tons.
The figure covers shipments identified by NDSU as passing through Hormuz to Türkiye. It does not represent Türkiye's total fertilizer imports or consumption.
NDSU identifies Hormuz as a major chokepoint for global urea, ammonia, sulfur and phosphate trade, making disruption in the Gulf a direct supply risk for importing markets.
Türkiye's Agricultural Trade Footprint Is Expanding
The three NDSU datasets capture different parts of Türkiye's agricultural trade.
Agricultural imports grew by more than 20 percent in early 2025. US agricultural exports to Türkiye were $203 million higher year on year through October. Separately, around 800,000 tons of Türkiye-bound fertilizer and fertilizer inputs moved through Hormuz in 2024.
Together, the data show a larger Turkish presence in international agricultural trade, both as a growing buyer and as a market exposed to external fertilizer and shipping routes.
Sources: North Dakota State University Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, NDSU Agricultural Trade Monitor, S&P Global Trade Atlas, Bosphorus News review and reporting.