Did Turkey import pork from Sudan? Official statement released

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's disclosure of companies involved in imitation and adulteration has sparked a new debate. The controversy, which began with the concealment of a report stating that pork was found in samples taken from Köfteci Yusuf, has been fueled by İYİ Party MP Turhan Çömez's claim that Turkey has imported pork from Sudan.

In a post on social media, Çömez stated, "They made an agreement to import pork from Sudan with zero customs duty just 5 months ago. Why are we surprised now that pork was found in the meatballs of a famous meatball chain?"

??Meşhur köftecinin domuz eti kullandığı meğer çok önceden biliniyormuş ama ifşa etmemişler.
??Rapor “Ramazan Ayı” öncesinde çıktığı için “mübarek aydır, milletin ağzının tadını bozmayalım” dediler herhalde!
??Yazık bu ülkeye… https://t.co/E9cZSE4i9W

— Turhan Çömez (@ComezTurhan) October 9, 2024

OFFICIAL STATEMENT RELEASED

An official statement has been released regarding the claim, which became a trending topic in a short time. The statement, which says, "The claims shared by some social media accounts and featured in media outlets that 'pork was imported from Sudan' are completely false," continues as follows:

"Goods subject to trade worldwide are defined and coded using a system called the 'Harmonized System' (HS). Within the framework of this system, offal of cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as offal of other animals, are classified together under HS code 02.06. All products subject to trade are classified with a Customs position, and all agreements contain assessments regarding all products, whether or not they are subject to trade.

There are thousands of HS codes in the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with Sudan, which was signed on December 24, 2017, but has not yet entered into force. The inclusion of HS codes transferred from international classification in the Agreements does not mean that trade will be conducted in all of these products.

When our country's import data from past years is examined, it will be seen that edible offal of animals listed under HS 02.06 has not been imported from Sudan.

On the other hand, when international trade statistics are examined, it is seen that Sudan does not have any exports of pork or offal to any country in the world.

Sudan is the 15th largest country in the world and the third largest in Africa in terms of surface area, and is described as 'both an African and an Arab country.' At the same time, thanks to its membership in COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) and the Arab League, it serves as an important gateway for our companies to the African and Arab markets.

With the full implementation of the Agreement, our wide range of agricultural and industrial products, covering 87 percent of all tariff lines, will have the opportunity to benefit from the most advantageous entry conditions into the 47-million-strong Sudanese market, and will also create significant opportunities for our country in Africa."