Production and Trade of Roasted Chickpea in Turkey

The roasted chickpea sector in Corum, Serinhisar (Denizli) and Tavsanli (Kutahya), which have gained an important place in the production and trade of roasted chickpea in Turkey, was examined in the study. The economic and spatial relationships of the sector at the stages of supply of raw materials, production and marketing, along with the socioeconomic profile characteristics of producers of roasted chickpea, in the selected sample areas were investigated. The data evaluated in the study are based on the results of survey applied in the sample areas and on the interviews with manufacturers as well as with the institutions and establishments in connection with the sector. The obtained results enabled the first comparative evaluation of the primary centers of the roasted chickpea sector in Turkey. The SWOT analysis of the roasted chickpea sector in Turkey was also made with the data obtained during the research process. Therefore, the current state of the roasted chickpea sector was suggested and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the sector were highlighted. The research findings are a useful source for the decisions to be taken, and the strategies to be formed, concerning the future of the sector. In Turkey, the roasted chickpea sector has great potential for development depending particularly on the increasing demands from abroad. However, various difficulties encountered at the stages of production and marketing hinder the development of the sector. The impact of the factors concerned varies by the characteristics of geographical location of the sample areas and the spatial relationships of the sector.