Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, who gave a speech at the signing ceremony hosted by Antakya Commodity Exchange President Ali Celal Mursaloğlu and attended by Antakya Medicinal Aromatic Plants Cooperative President Semih Habib, drew attention to the fact that Hatay is an important agricultural city. Emphasizing that a wide variety of crops such as citrus fruits, olives, peanuts, wheat and cotton grow in fertile lands such as the Amik Plain, the TOBB President said, “Türkiye, thanks to its geographical location, climate and plant diversity, agricultural potential, large surface area, it is one of the leading countries in the production and trade of medicinal and aromatic plants. About 3,300 of the approximately 10,000 plant species in our country are endemic. In Hatay, about 300 of the more than 2,000 identified plant species consist of endemic plants. Many of the plant species identified in the Hatay region have been found to be medicinal and aromatic plants. Hatay is one of the leading cities of our country in terms of medicinal and aromatic plants. You are aware of this work.”

- The importance of medicinal and aromatic plants

Reminding that Hatay also hosts Türkiye's first Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Museum, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that medicinal and aromatic plants have been used for therapeutic purposes and as food since the existence of humanity. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It has been demonstrated by long-term experience that various parts of plants such as roots, leaves, flowers and fruits have therapeutic value. Throughout human history, medicinal and aromatic plants have been used and continue to be used in the treatment of many diseases.

Our Antakya Commodity Exchange is also doing its part to increase the production and trade of medicinal and aromatic plants. With the protocol we will witness today, more medicinal and aromatic plants will be produced, processed and sold in Hatay. Cultivation areas and employment will increase. The medicinal and aromatic plants that you will produce will heal more people. That's why it's so good for you to do. I congratulate you on this vision. Our Antakya Commodity Exchange is always at the service of Hatay's agriculture and livestock sector. Antakya CE is an accredited commodity exchange. It offers 5-star service to our members. Antakya Commodity Exchange’s President is my colleague in Ankara. My brother Celal and I are working together in the council of Commodity Exchanges. We benefit from his knowledge and experience. He represents you in the best way in Ankara.”

Stating that the importance of being a self-sufficient country was once again seen in the pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Although our input costs have increased, never give up or neglect agriculture and animal husbandry.”