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Organic Agriculture in Turkey Production
Organic agriculture began in Turkey in the mid 1980s around Izmir in the Aegean Region. Demand from
Europe from contracted suppliers in Turkey for organic raisins and figs provided the initial impetus, and
dried apricots and nuts were soon added to the portfolio. Production was linked closely to the buyers’
demands in Europe.
Izmir remains the centre of the organic sector. Dried fruits and nuts remain the major organic products and
about 45% of organic farmers are producing these products which account for over 60% of organic
production, followed by field crops, fresh fruit and vegetables and then herbs and spices. Over 240 different
products are now available.
Demand
The driver for the development of organic production in Turkey came from the demand in Europe. Most of
the organic production continues to be exported.
Legislation and Certification
The legal framework for the organic industry in Turkey was first established in 1994 with regulations based on
those current in the EU. At the same time, the regulations created two committees within the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs to oversee the national strategies and activities of organic agriculture. The
regulations have been revised from time to time and finalized with the Law on Organic Farming in December
2004. More recently, the EC has funded a project to align Turkish organic agriculture legislation with that of
the EU. The Committee of Organic Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issues permits and
supervises the activities of the control and certification businesses. There are some 13 organizations providing
organic certification services in Turkey.
The majority are branches of foreign firms. Most are based in the Izmir Region. Inspection and certification
costs are reportedly higher than in neighboring European countries.
Financial Support to the Organic Sector
Organic agriculture is now seen as a component of the government’s efforts to enhance agricultural output.
Government support for the organic sector is available in three initiatives:
• Registered businesses are able to benefit from enterprise and investments loans with a 60% discount from
the Turkish Agricultural Bank.
• There are direct income support payments for registered organic producers.
• Support payments over three years are available to growers in four environmentally-sensitive regions. The
number of regions will be increased in 2008.
The uptake of any of these payments is below 10% of organic growers a three-year programme providing
training for organic farming in 13 river basin areas ended in 2006.
Some Graphs & Tables
Production of Organic Agricultural Products in Turkey (Tonnes) |
| Products |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| Coton |
21.793 |
34.877 |
30.268 |
10.032 |
63.960 |
55.534 |
68.310 |
| Wheat |
19.752 |
21.379 |
31.194 |
13.756 |
26.515 |
43.915 |
48.681 |
| Apple |
69.187 |
71.928 |
52.670 |
49.915 |
28.393 |
50.810 |
32.134 |
| Raisin |
10.469 |
9.505 |
13.988 |
14.485 |
16.687 |
15.510 |
22.012 |
| Olive |
10.744 |
6.456 |
10.997 |
10.531 |
13.109 |
12.096 |
21.574 |
| Tomato |
82.809 |
26.493 |
22.897 |
25.125 |
15.512 |
21.437 |
19.909 |
| Hazelnut |
7.667 |
5.994 |
4.821 |
3.670 |
6.402 |
8.355 |
11.143 |
| Apricot |
5.940 |
13.278 |
9.019 |
9.628 |
6.491 |
7.767 |
14.925 |
| Lentil |
17.012 |
11.781 |
9.135 |
6.093 |
19.050 |
10.071 |
10.228 |
| Strawberry |
3.293 |
3.497 |
4.098 |
4.604 |
4.571 |
7.234 |
9.008 |
| Fig |
9.473 |
8.112 |
15.793 |
6.821 |
7.563 |
5.938 |
7.891 |
| Sourcherry |
6.580 |
5.994 |
4.020 |
1.874 |
2.939 |
5.733 |
4.661 |
| Onion |
388 |
1.020 |
1.412 |
430 |
1.320 |
996 |
4.220 |
| Chickpea |
7.667 |
5.662 |
4.085 |
4.660 |
4.867 |
2.901 |
4.140 |
| Pepper |
3.355 |
3.309 |
2.643 |
2.565 |
4.399 |
4.629 |
4.022 |
| Cherry |
1.335 |
1.830 |
1.348 |
1.088 |
1.632 |
2.239 |
2.674 |
| Pistachio |
2.005 |
4.789 |
6.827 |
460 |
1.135 |
616 |
859 |
| Honey |
923 |
1.100 |
937 |
572 |
524 |
497 |
181 |
| Others |
29.732 |
54.872 |
77.764 |
122.773 |
84.453 |
174.925 |
128.808 |
| TOTAL |
310.124 |
291.876 |
278.388 |
289.082 |
309.522 |
431.203 |
415.380 |
Organic Product Export of Turkey, 2008 |
| Products |
Tonnes |
Value |
| Fig |
941 |
21,2% |
| Hazelnut |
665 |
20,8% |
| Apricot |
140 |
16,4% |
| Frozen Fruit |
872 |
7,7% |
| Apple |
189 |
8,0% |
| Raisin |
554 |
4,5% |
| Plum |
51 |
3,1% |
| Coton |
411 |
2,6% |
| Lentil |
274 |
2,5% |
| Pine Nut |
15 |
2,0% |
| Poppy |
95 |
1,9% |
| Chickpea |
385 |
1,8% |
| Anise, Fennel, Coriander |
72 |
0,9% |
| Caraway, Cumin |
23 |
0,6% |
| Olive |
14 |
0,4% |
| Oregano, Thyme, Bay |
11 |
0,3% |
| Tomato Paste |
38 |
0,3% |
| Frozen Vegetable |
20 |
0,1% |
| Others |
3.859 |
4,9% |
| TOTAL |
8.629 |
100% |
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