Foodist Istanbul Opens: A B2B Catalyst for Turkey’s Food Exports

Foodist Istanbul has launched as a platform poised to reposition Turkey’s food exports on the global stage.

The New Guide to Food Exports

Held at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center, the event anticipates 70,000 industry professionals from 150 countries, aiming to enhance the sector’s international visibility.

High-Profile Participants and Producer Networks

■Opening remarks by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı and Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat

■Nihat Uysallı, Chair of the TİM Grain, Legume, Oilseed and Product Sector Board, outlined a $13.5 billion export target

■60 countries represented, with 2,000 VIP buyer delegations and 5,000 foreign visitors recorded

B2B‑Focused Transformation

■The fair will run until 4 September, featuring 1,000 brands across 10 halls covering 100 k square meters

■Exports are projected to surpass the $13 billion mark by the end of 2026

■The sector’s high value‑added and employment potential can help reduce the current account deficit

Policies and Sectorial Interests

■Supported by the Turkey Food Platform and ALZ Group, the fair aspires to become one of the world’s top three food exhibitions

■Strengthening B2B ties, fostering sector collaboration, and opening new markets

Fatih Kılıç: B2B‑centric fairs like this not only boost export numbers but also create sustainable business models. The acceleration toward a $13 billion target in 2026 reflects growing sector investment and a robust growth narrative.