Abstract

The scope of this study is rice scarcity and the increase of rice prices as a result of the drought in Turkey. It is obvious that drought is occurring in the world and producer countries are suffering smaller crops as a result. Therefore, rice exporters have partially limited their exports. Rice production per capita in Turkey is 6 to 6.5 kg. Rice per capita in 2005 was 5.3 kg, and it was 6.2 kg in 2006. There was a decline of 6.9% in rice production in 2006; however, rice production per capita in 2007 was 5.5 kg. The protective tariff for domestic producers which Turkey abolished in 2006 and the drought affected rice production negatively. The production deficit calculated at 70.000 tons in 2007 was determined to fall in the following years after increasing for some time according to the long-term trend analysis in 2008.

Key words: Rice production, total rice demand, rice supply deficit, climate change.