We can clearly say that no increase is expected in the prices of pulses now that there are a few days left before the holy month of Ramadan. On the contrary, a decline is likely to be seen in the prices of certain products as Ramadan coincides with the harvest season this year. In addition to a prospective 25-30% decrease in the prices of red lentils harvested in these days, a decrease is also expected in the prices of green lentils, chickpeas and dried beans that are to be harvested in June and August.
That there are already enough products in stocks and that harvest period coincides with Ramadan may set our citizens' mind at ease, who are concerned about any possible increase in prices in Ramadan.
As known to all, there are numerous benefits of pulses. The pulses have been proven many times to be a shield against diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and so on. In this context, I believe that the fasting citizens should consume more pulses that are both nourishing and filling thanks to their fibre-rich nature as the holy Ramadan coincides with hot months.
We should pay attention to consuming pulses not just in this holy month but for the twelve months of the year due to their rich contents. To this end, 2016 has been declared as the International Year of Pulses with the motto, "Nutritious Seeds for a Sustainable Future" upon the application made by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Türkiye. As İzmir Commodity Exchange, it is a separate source of joy and happiness for us to have protected our national value and taken an active part in the activities carried out in our province in this respect. I hope that with the activities carried out, awareness will be raised with regard to pulses that occupy an important place in our country's traditional cuisine and trade, and their consumption will be encouraged.
When a long-term assessment is made with regard to pulses sector in our country, the developments seen lately is not favourable. In our country that is the homeland of pulses, cultivation acreage declines day by day while the volume of imports increases. However, looking at the pulses production table of 2015, we see promising results in spite of everything. Despite the decline in pulses cultivation acreage, production results reflect an increase of approximately 4% compared to the previous year with 1.1 million tonnes.
I hope that our foreign trade deficit in the pulses sector will begin to decline in line with the results to be obtained from the studies carried out and the increase in support premiums paid to the producers.
I wish the holy Ramadan to be abundant for all of us.
03.06.2016
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