Pasta is produced in the Southeast and consumed by 166 countries.

M. Aykut Göymen, the President of the Turkish Pasta Industrialists Association (TMSD), stated that pasta is exported to 166 countries from Turkey, and that the Southeast region, where 58% of production takes place, accounts for 65-70% of exports.

Emphasizing that Turkey ranks second in global pasta production, Göymen said, “We have a total production capacity of 3 million tons. Last year we exported 1 million 300 thousand tons. With 700 thousand tons of domestic consumption, we closed last year with a production of 2 million tons.”

Göymen noted that pasta exports began in the 1990s, with small amounts of 15 to 20 tons exported during that time, and continued:

“From those figures, we reached export numbers of 1 million 300 thousand tons. Our target this year is 1.5 million tons. In the first 8 months, we achieved an export of 985 thousand tons. This year, we hope to complete 1.5 million tons. Turkey is the center of origin for durum wheat. There are 25 pasta producers in our country. These companies are doing their part. After Italy, Turkey is second in the world for exports. Our current capacity is 3 million tons. With exports, there will be a production of 2.2 million tons by the end of the year.”

Göymen pointed out that the Southeast region has a significant share in pasta production and exports, stating, “53% of Turkey’s pasta production is in Gaziantep, and 5% in Mardin. In other words, the Southeast region produces 58% of pasta. 65-70% of exports come from the Southeast. Approximately 1 million tons of the 1.5 million tons of exports will come from the Southeast.”

Göymen stated that pasta is sent to 166 countries from Turkey, primarily to South America, Africa, and Japan. The countries include Venezuela, Ghana, Somalia, Japan, and China. He expressed, “We take a 25% share of the world pasta trade.”