Sugar sector in the context of World Trade Organization, the European Union and Turkey

Sugar, when evaluated according to production conditions and consumption practices, as in the history, today also it is a strategic product and an important food for societies. Sugar, produced and consumed around whole world, exported and imported by all countries is also subject to arrengements on the international stage. As in the other agricultural products, World Trade Organisation and the European Union act as a leading platform where sugar is also handled on international stage. World Trade Organisation has a goal of liberalising the trade of agricultural products in the world and brings arrangements in this scope. In the European Union, agriculture is arranged as a common policy area and sugar regime is also taken in hand in this context. Developments between these two actors on the international stage play important role in understanding of sugar sector. In our country, sugar sector whose basises were founded just after the establishment of Republic, today has become a sector providing employment oppurtunity for many people. Turkey, as a member of World Trade Organisation is in the negotiation process with the European Union. In our country, sugar sector is affected by both of two processes and will be affected in the forthcoming period. In this study, arrangements brought in the framework of World Trade Organisation and the European Union and effects of them to sugar sector will be handled and developments emerged in this scope will be assesed from perspective of our country. Key words: 1) Sugar, 2) World Trade Organization, 3) European Union, 4) International Sugar Organization, 5) Agriculture.