The import and export of plant-based products between Turkiye and the EU during the Customs Union process

One of the most important goals of countries in today's world is to increase the level of social welfare. In this context, there is a need to expand production capacities by increasing productivity in all sectors (agriculture, industry and services). In order to achieve the stated goal, it is desired to participate in international commercial and economic integrations. Turkiye joined the customs union in 1996 after a gradual process. After joining the customs union, Turkiye experienced significant changes in terms of product groups in its plant product foreign trade with the EU. While exports in some product groups (fruits and vegetables) generally increased in both quantity and proportion, there was an increase in imports in some product groups (such as grains and oilseeds). However, let us state immediately that the high agricultural productivity in the European Union negatively affects Turkiye's external competitive power regarding plant products it makes with the union. The customs tariffs applied by Turkiye for agricultural product imports are generally very high; According to the World Trade Organization, the average of Turkiye's agricultural import tariffs is around 40%, while the average of the EU is around 14%. Therefore, the liberalization of bilateral trade and the adoption of the EU's common customs tariff for agriculture will mean a significant reduction in import protection for certain products. It is important that the customs protection we apply to the Union is gradually reduced over time, after the necessary funds have been provided and used for agriculture, in order to prevent the loss of labor in agriculture, the decrease in production and the negative impact on foreign trade.