What is Agricultural Export?

Agricultural export, in the simplest and shortest terms, can be defined as the sale of a country's agricultural products abroad. These agricultural products may include fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy products, fishery products, and other agricultural goods. Agricultural export provides an important marketing and sales opportunity for producers in a country's agricultural sector.

Agricultural export contributes to a country's economy because the agricultural sector is an important source of income for the country. This type of export allows a country's agricultural products to be competitive in the global market, which can lead to an increase in the prices of agricultural products and an increase in the revenue generated from exports. Agricultural export also benefits agricultural producers. Export expands the market for agricultural producers' products and helps them obtain higher profits by increasing the prices of agricultural products.

However, it is worth mentioning that agricultural exports can encounter a number of challenges such as customs duties, shipping, and storage costs. Agricultural products are generally produced in varying qualities and quantities during the production season, depending on environmental conditions, diseases, natural disasters, and other factors. Therefore, agricultural export requires long-term planning and risk management strategies.

How is Agricultural Export Made?

Conducting agricultural export may vary based on many factors. However, in general, the following steps are followed to conduct agricultural export:
• Selection of products to be exported: The product to be exported is chosen. This selection can be made based on the products well-grown in the country, products that are in demand in global markets, and products suitable for export.
• Determination of product quality: The quality of the product to be exported must comply with international quality standards. This can be ensured by paying attention to factors such as growing conditions, storage, transportation, and packaging methods.
• Market research: The target market for the product to be exported is researched. This research may include demand, competition, regulations, import procedures, and other factors in the country you wish to export to.
• Export permits: To conduct export, it is necessary to obtain an export license or other permits for the products to be exported. These permits may vary according to the legal regulations of the country you wish to export to.
• Logistics management: Logistics management is planned for transporting, storing, and delivering the products. At this stage, agreements related to shipping, insurance, and other logistics services should be made.
• Price determination: The price of the product to be exported is determined based on factors such as the exporter’s production and processing costs, target market demand, and competition.
• Sales contract: A sales contract for the products to be exported is prepared. This contract includes delivery dates, payment terms, product quality, warranty conditions, and other important details.
• Delivery and payment: When the products are delivered, the necessary documents for payment are prepared and sent to the exporter. These documents may include import duties, customs duties, and other expenses required for the exporter to receive payment.

The steps mentioned above are necessary and important for conducting agricultural export.

Which Countries Engage in Agricultural Export?

Many countries around the world engage in agricultural exports. Here are some of the leading countries producing and exporting agricultural products:
• USA: Grains, soybeans, meat, dairy products, rice, fruits-vegetables, nuts, etc.
• European Union: Wheat, corn, sugar, dairy products, fruits-vegetables, meat, etc.
• Brazil: Soybeans, meat, chicken, corn, sugar, etc.
• China: Vegetables, fruits, fish, fresh soybeans, rice, etc.
• India: Rice, tea, spices, vegetables, etc.
• Canada: Wheat, barley, canola, dairy products, meat, etc.
• Russia: Wheat, barley, rye, sunflower seeds, potatoes, fruits, etc.
• Turkey: Hazelnuts, cherries, grapes, dried apricots, pomegranates, olives, tea, spices, etc.

Of course, the agricultural products and quantities exported by each country vary. However, we can say that the countries mentioned above are some of the leading countries in agricultural exports.

What is the Importance of Agricultural Export?

Agricultural export plays an important role in a country’s economy and provides benefits in many ways. In this context, if we were to list its importance:
• Promotes economic growth: Agricultural product export can contribute to a country’s economic growth. Export stimulates economic growth by increasing a country's national income.
• Provides foreign currency earnings: Agricultural export can increase a country’s foreign currency earnings. The foreign currency earned through agricultural product exports can be used to meet the country's other needs.
• Creates job opportunities: Agricultural export can help agricultural businesses in a country grow and create more job opportunities.
• Develops the agricultural sector: Agricultural product export can help a country develop and modernize its agricultural sector. Agricultural businesses strive to produce high-quality products for export.
• Ensures food security: Agricultural export can help a country meet its food security needs. Agricultural products produced through agricultural export can be used to meet consumer needs in other countries.
• Enables integration into international trade: Agricultural export can help a country participate in international trade and integrate into the global economy. This can enhance the country's economic growth and create more job opportunities.

For these reasons, agricultural export is important for a country and is regarded as a significant economic activity by many countries.

What Products are Used in Agricultural Export?

The products used in agricultural exports vary by countries and products. However, generally, the most commonly used products in agricultural exports are:
• Cereals and grains: Wheat, barley, corn, rice, oats, rye, and other grains.
• Oilseeds: Sunflower, soybeans, safflower, sesame, canola, cottonseed, and other oilseeds.
• Fruits and vegetables: Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, grapes, oranges, lemons, tangerines, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchinis, carrots, onions, and other fruits and vegetables.
• Meat and meat products: Beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork, sausage, salami, bacon, and other meat products.
• Dairy and dairy products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, butter, and other dairy products.
• Seafood: Fish, shrimp, mussels, crabs, oysters, squid, and other seafood.
• Spices: Red pepper, oregano, cumin, mint, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, onion, and other spices.
• Herbal medicine raw materials: Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, echinacea, aloe vera, chamomile, oregano, and other herbal medicine raw materials.

In addition to these products, other products used in agricultural exports may include flowers, tea, coffee, sugar, salt, nuts, cocoa, cotton, leather, fur, and timber. It is, of course, worth mentioning these as well.