Competitiveness in Hazelnuts: Türkiye’s Advantages, Challenges, and Future Perspectives in Global Exports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i12.4192-4199.8372Keywords:
Hazelnut exports, Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Trade policies, Türkiye, CompetitivenessAbstract
Türkiye has long held a leading position in the international market, accounting for more than two-thirds of global hazelnut production and approximately 70% of global exports. This study analyzes Türkiye’s competitiveness in hazelnut exports using the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Agricultural RCA (Agri-RCA) indices, using data from 2014 to 2023. The findings reveal that Türkiye has a very highly competitive advantage in hazelnuts, but this advantage has gradually diminished over the years. The RCA value, which reached 69 in 2015, declined to 48 in 2023, while the Agri-RCA indicator also fell from 55 to 35 during the same period. This development suggests that while Türkiye maintains its global leadership, its relative advantage is shrinking, and its high dependence on the European Union market, in particular, is a significant risk factor. Furthermore, the dependence on a few European countries, where exports are concentrated, reveals limited market diversification. The study emphasizes the need to focus on value-added products, expand into alternative markets, expand environmentally friendly production practices, support technological innovations, and strengthen producer associations to maintain sustainable competitiveness. The results provide guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure Türkiye’s current superiority in the hazelnut sector is sustainable.
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