Türkiye surges to third-largest Russian wheat importer after ban lift
John Deere combine harvester on spring wheat harvesting. Wheat and corn markets react in crisis world’s breadbasket. Winter barley yields. Wheat, maize, soybeans. Russia, Smolensk, Sept. 23, 2021.
Türkiye resumed purchasing wheat from Russia in March after lifting import restrictions and swiftly rose to become the third-largest importer of Russian wheat within a single month, according to the Russian rail logistics company Rusagrotrans.
So far this season, Türkiye has imported 2.5 million tons of wheat from Russia. This places Türkiye behind only Egypt, which imported 7.6 million tons, and Bangladesh, with 2.6 million tons.
In 2024, Türkiye introduced restrictions on wheat imports following a productive harvest season, aiming to protect local farmers from declining prices.
However, the Turkish government eased those restrictions as of March 19 by invoking the Inward Processing Regime (IPR)—a trade policy that allows companies to import raw materials without paying customs duties or taxes, on the condition that the imported goods are processed and then exported again.
Under this regime, Türkiye permits duty-free wheat imports specifically for flour production intended for export, ensuring that domestic grain reserves are not affected while supporting the country’s flour export industry, one of the largest in the world.
Russia’s global market share slips
The data also revealed that Iran, which paused wheat imports for four months after a strong harvest last year, resumed purchases from Russia in March, importing 144,000 tons.
Analysts forecast that Russia’s share in the global wheat market will decline this season, from 28% to 22%—due to increased exports from Argentina and the United States.
Despite a projected drop in Russian wheat exports—from 55.5 million tons last year to 40.8 million tons this season—Russia is still expected to remain the world’s top wheat exporter.
