Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech during a visit to the city, reported that Mersin is the first in fruit production and third in vegetable production in Turkey.

Stating that the Mersin Commodity Exchange is working to further agriculture in Mersin, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey Product Specialized Exchanges have been founded. We are yet to hit the official exchange gong, but we are operational now. We began with wheat and corn. Our transaction volume reached a record level yesterday. It continues to increase every day.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that many economic problems have been overcome throughout Turkey's past, “Since the day I began my career, there have been many domestic and international crises. We overcame them all; coming out stronger. We will be more powerful than today's troubles. Every adversity, increases our resilience even more, opens up new horizons. We must never lose our culture of cooperation.”

- “Agriculture-food sector is the main backbone of Mersin economy”

Mersin Commodity Exchange President Abdullah Özdemir stressed the importance of the agriculture and food sector for Mersin, “We are 5^th in terms of agricultural income nationally, in 4th position for agriculture and food exports. Agriculture makes up 70% of our city's total exports and 62% of imports. In other words, the agri-food sector is the main backbone of the Mersin economy. Our commodity market is the leader of 113 commodity exchanges in citrus and pulses.”

Özdemir, noting that the city is hosting the International Citrus Festival, “The festival will take place for the seventh time on November 1^st through the 3^rd. Under the auspices of the Governorate of Mersin and the coordination of our Exchange, the fair which hosted 1,300 visitors last year, this festival is the biggest expo of our city.”