Turkey, Austria sign pact on agriculture and food

Turkey's agriculture sector is one of the most important in the world, Agriculture Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker told representatives of Turkish non-governmental organizations in Vienna yesterday. "Turkey annually sells food products worth $10 billion and has agricultural production of $57.5 billion," Eker said. He announced Turkey and Austria had signed a memorandum of understanding on the agriculture and food sector, adding, "Turkey has a very big potential for diversity of agriculture products, and cooperation will benefit both countries." Eker told the representatives about agriculture and food sector developments, calling Turkey a world leader in the processing of agricultural products. "For example, Turkey ranks seventh in grains and cereals and first in the vegetable and fruit sector," he said. Turkey is a leader not only among European countries, but also compared to Caucasus and African countries in terms of its agriculture and food products, he added. He also said Turkey has extended technical assistance and training to Caucasus and African countries.