The effects of climate change on Turkey's foreign trade of agricultural products: The example of wheat

Climate changes caused by global warming, which affects nature and living generations, are now expressed among the agenda topics of states in the world. While climate changes occurred naturally until the Industrial Revolution, in the middle of 19th century it is seen that changes in climate are increasing with the inclusion of industrial technology in life and the effects of human beings. Agriculture, one of the oldest sectors, is carried out intertwined with nature. Climate events also affect agriculture, food security, accessibility to food and foreign trade of agricultural products in this aspect. The effects of climate changes on agriculture are of great importance in terms of food, which is one of the most basic needs for the continuity of human life. Climate agreements implemented in recent years, panels established, organizations, projects studied actually show the possibility that the risk for food may grow from year to year. In this study, both the connection between climate change and agriculture and their interaction in the historical process, as well as the effects of climate change on foreign trade of wheat and agricultural products were discussed with literature approaches. And they are analyzed with scientific statistical tables and 3 separate in-depth interviews conducted with both faculty member and official institutions. It has been found that climate changes such the decrease in water resources due to population growth, as well as drought and iregularities in precipitation that are clearly felt in Turkey, are directly related to Turkey's agricultural areas, wheat cultivation areas, production, quantity and yield. These climate changes are also indirectly related to foreign trade of agricultural products. At the same time although the effects of climate change are being felt in Turkey, self-sufficent production of wheat is realized due to its semi-arid areas geography. Turkey produces and exports pasta as a result of the wheat it produces and imports. In the face of climate change, it is thought important for Turkey to ensure that self-sufficiency, production and export are sustainable of wheat. Keywords: Climate Change, Global Warming, Agriculture, Foreign Trade of Agricultural Products, Wheat