ASCAME’s network has expanded with the recent incorporation of the Mersin Commodity Exchange (MEC) as a new associate member. This institution, well-known as Mersin Ticaret Borsasi, is one of Turkey’s most established and significant commodity exchanges. Founded in 1926, this institution stands out with its effectiveness in the agriculture and food sectors. As Mr. Ömer Abdullah Özdemir, President of MCE, explains in the following interview, this agreement responds to the institution’s aim of strengthening commercial and economic connections in the Mediterranean, especially in the agriculture and food sectors. Both parties are committed to launching joint projects, fairs, sector meetings, training programs and workshops linked not only with these sectors but to critical issues in the Mediterranean region, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, food security, or efficient water use. In addition, Mr. Ömer Abdullah Özdemir refers to the Mersin investment opportunities and the impact of the MEC on the region’s growth and economic development.
What is the main mission and the core functions of Mersin Commodity Exchange?
The Mersin Commodity Exchange (MCE) is affiliated with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB). Its main mission is to carry out commodity exchange activities in accordance with the TOBB Commodity Exchange Law, regulations, and the Accreditation System, and to continuously contribute to the development of our members, our city, and the national economy. Based on the “Duties of Commodity Exchanges” defined by the TOBB Law, the core functions of our institution are arranging and registering the buying and selling of goods included in the exchange, determining and announcing the daily prices of these goods in accordance with procedures, and monitoring and reporting any agreements, decisions, and practices that could distort competition to the relevant authorities.
What is the profile of your members?
The primary sector of our members is agriculture and food. When examined by subsectors, significant positions are held by companies involved in the trade of products such as grains, pulses, primarily citrus fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, oilseeds, spices, nuts, as well as meat, dairy products, bakery products, and other food products.
What value does your institution add to its members?
MCE tracks domestic and international exchanges and markets to provide price information, apart from guiding its members on electronic commerce and internet networks. Based on the requests from our members, the MCE makes proposals, requests, and applications to the relevant official authorities regarding matters related to exchange activities. MCE also monitors practices that may distort competition and reports any identified cases to the relevant authorities. It issues necessary documents to its members and provides required services related to them. The Exchange organizes panels, conferences, workshops, and training on issues that closely concern our members.
By providing up-to-date market information, analyses, and sectoral reports, it supports members in conducting their business activities in an informed manner. Additionally, it provides guidance on business development and financing opportunities. MTB continues to provide services to its members as an agent of the Turkey Products and Commodity Exchange.
What are the main needs, demands, and questions your members often address to you?
Our members request information on trade processes, financial support mechanisms, and guidance on commercial regulations. Particularly, following the pandemic and the conflict situation in our region (Russia-Ukraine war, developments in Syria, etc), with the increase in protectionist policies, they request information about updates in regulations such as taxes, export and import bans, and quotas, and seek advice on utilizing incentives, especially in relation to the diversification of export markets.
We aim to ensure that within the next decade, Mersin will become the largest agricultural, food, and agro-industrial center, with Mersin Commodity Exchange being one of the pioneers of this growth
Why is now the right time to invest in Turkey, and especially Mersin? What is the economic potential of the agriculture and food sectors?
The right time to invest in Turkey is clearly summarized in the report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in August. The report states that “Turkey has become a hub for agricultural products, and its trade in agricultural commodities has a bright future with expected growth”. Mersin, with its port and logistics capabilities, is an important center for agricultural product trade. The growing global demand for food and Turkey’s high export potential in agricultural products create significant opportunities for investors. Mersin has huge economic potential in the agriculture and food sectors. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, Mersin ranks third in the country in plant production value, first in fruit production, and third in vegetable production. The province ranks first in 12 products and second in another 12 products in the country. In addition, Mersin is the seventh largest exporter in Turkey. 70% of Mersin’s exports consist of agricultural and food products, almost all of which are exported by our members. Mersin-based companies account for 12% of Turkey’s agricultural exports, and Mersin ranks third in the country’s agricultural exports. We aim to ensure that within the next decade, our region becomes the largest agricultural, food, and agro-industrial center, with Mersin Commodity Exchange being one of the pioneers of this growth.
What benefits will the partnership with ASCAME bring? What collaborations could the two institutions explore moving forward?
Being a partner member of ASCAME will provide our Exchange with faster and more efficient access to commercial and economic connections in the Mediterranean region. Particularly, our members engaged in foreign trade in the agriculture and food sectors will have the opportunity to benefit from new investment and cooperation possibilities. Furthermore, joint projects, fairs, trade delegations, sector meetings, training programs, and workshops will be a “win-win strategy” for both institutions. Beyond agriculture and food, mutual coordination on critical challenges affecting the future of the Mediterranean, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, food security, food safety, and efficient water use, could lead to the development of roadmap reports to leading global institutions.
How can ASCAME help Mediterranean companies cope with current challenges?
ASCAME offers significant support to Mediterranean companies through its strong commercial networks, sectoral collaborations, and international platforms. Additionally, training, consultancy services, and mutual knowledge sharing on topics such as access to finance, digitalization, innovation, high-value production, and R&D activities will aid in the development of businesses and strengthen market networks in the region. Solution-oriented policy proposals, identified in consultation, will strengthen regional, national, and local economies while supporting the stable growth of companies. In this way, companies in the Mediterranean region will be better prepared for future risks and will become more resilient.
Apart from exploring cooperation opportunities in the Mediterranean agriculture and food sectors, along with ASCAME will coordinate different initiatives on critical challenges affecting the future of the Mediterranean, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, food security, food safety, and efficient water use, could lead to the development of roadmap reports to leading global institutions
Can you provide information about some initiatives you plan to launch this year?
In 2024, we began digitalization projects that will continue into 2025, and we are focused on informing our members about new incentive mechanisms to develop international trade and initiatives supporting sustainable agriculture practices. Additionally, we aim to enhance the competitiveness of our members through training and certification programs. Moreover, we plan to strengthen our role as a bridge between the relevant ministries and official institutions under TOBB to solve the current problems faced by our members. We plan to increase investments to further develop the activities of the Seed Company and the Legume Research Center (BAM), which we established with no profit motive by our Commodity Exchange.
Finally, could you share your views on joining the ASCAME network and the impact of your mission on the development of the Mediterranean economy?
Our participation in the ASCAME network aligns with our goal of strengthening economic and commercial coordination in the Mediterranean region. Mersin, as an important center for production, domestic and foreign trade in the agriculture and food sectors, aims to play a more active and efficient role in regional and global markets with its advantages. Through the extensive collaboration opportunities provided by ASCAME, our members will contribute to the further development of economic and commercial relations in the Mediterranean region. Through ASCAME cooperation, innovative solutions can be developed, especially in the agriculture and food sectors, and strategies for regional development can be created. This collaboration will not only strengthen Mersin’s position in international trade but also provide sustainable solutions for the long-term growth of the Mediterranean region’s economy.