THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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EXPORT GATES OPENED FOR FRUIT AND OLIVE TREES; 50 MILLION DOLLARS CONTRIBUTION EXPECTED TO THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS SECTOR…
The ornamental plants sector gained momentum with an important regulation that it has been waiting for a long time. With the legal amendment, fruit and olive trees were again included in the scope of export in the ornamental plant category. This step is expected to provide an additional contribution of 40 to 50 million dollars to the sector, which exported 117 million dollars last year.
TARGET MARKETS WILL RETURN TO TÜRKİYE…
With the regulation, many global buyers, especially Italy and Spain, which are countries with Mediterranean climate, are expected to turn to the Turkish market again. This development is likely to boost morale and open new business doors for the sector.
RICH BIODIVERSITY ON THE WORLD SCENE…
Located at the intersection of different gene centres and three main floristic regions, Türkiye ranks among the top 20 countries in the world in ornamental plant exports thanks to its rich biodiversity. The sector, which is a net exporter, is preparing to enhance its competitiveness with the re-inclusion of fruit and olive trees in the export list.
The export of olive and fruit trees, which could be sold to foreign markets until 2019, was banned in 2020. In this process, the demands of countries such as Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Turkic Republics shifted to other markets. With the new regulation, it is aimed to strengthen commercial ties with these countries again.
TREES REMOVED TO BE RECOVERED TO THE ECONOMY…
The regulation covers not only new production, but also trees removed for various reasons. Fruit and olive trees that have lost their agricultural productivity or need to be removed within the scope of projects will now be utilised as export products. Savaş Akcan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Ornamental Plants Growers Union (SÜSBİR), said: “We were putting these trees in pots and offering them for sale, but there was not enough demand in the domestic market. With the opening of exports, we will utilise the stocks we have.”
Pointing out that trees uprooted for landscaping or expropriation works were previously used as firewood, Akcan emphasised that the new practice will provide both environmental and economic benefits.
STOCKS TO LAST UNTIL 2027…
Highlighting that with the lifting of the ban, they expect the stocks in the sector to melt by the end of 2027, Akcan added, “In project-based demands, the entire list was cancelled because we could not send a few items of fruit trees. Now this obstacle has disappeared. Our industry will experience a strong leap with this development.”
