Armada Foods CEO Fethi Sonmez talks with the GPC about Turkey’s consumption, production and trade of red lentils, chickpeas and white beans. Because of its geographic position, Turkey serves as an important distribution hub into North Africa, the Middle East and Europe. With harvest still months away, Fethi reports plantings are up about 30% for red lentils and white beans, and he projects production of 300-400,000 MT and 150-170,000 MT, respectively. On chickpeas, however, he expects a smaller crop (300,000 MT).

0:25 Tell us a bit about your background and how you became involved with the pulse business.

0:56 Could you give us an overview of your pulse business?

1:50 What motivated Armada Foods' decision to work in pulses?

2:28 What would you say is the best part of your job?

2:58 Can you give us an overview of pulse consumption in Turkey?

5:11 When does Turkey plant and harvest pulses?

6:02 How is the red lentil crop looking?

6:35 Which are Turkey's main pulse suppliers?

7:25 Turkey is also an important distribution hub in the region, correct?

8:56 What is the production outlook for the different pulse crops in Turkey this year?

10:48 How's the pulse industry in your country being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?