Turkey Aims to Elevate Seed Sector to Global Top Five

Strategic Insights -

Turkey's seed sector has achieved significant milestones, running a foreign trade surplus since 2018, with notable surpluses in seeds, seedlings, ornamental plants, and overall trade. The sector has exported nearly $490 million worth of seeds and seedlings, while imports totaled $364 million. The global seed market is projected to grow from $70 billion to over $100 billion by 2030. The Turkish Seed Union (TURKTOB) is committed to improving the sector's performance and increasing its global competitiveness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Turkey's seed sector aims to elevate its global ranking from 11th to the top five in the next decade.
  • The sector has achieved a significant foreign trade surplus since 2018, with notable surpluses in seeds (117%), seedlings (550%), ornamental plants (169%), and overall trade (134%).
  • Exports of seeds and seedlings reached nearly $490 million, while imports totaled $364 million.
  • The global seed market is expected to grow from $70 billion to over $100 billion by 2030.
  • Turkey's seed sector exports mainly go to the EU, Russia, and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) countries.
  • Increasing product diversity, opening new markets, and improving seed quality are key goals for the sector's growth.
  • The Turkish public's perception of the seed sector as dependent on foreign countries hampers the sector's success.

Statistics:

  • Turkey's foreign trade surplus in the seed sector was 117% since 2018.
  • Exports of seeds and seedlings reached nearly $490 million.
  • Imports of seeds and seedlings totaled $364 million.
  • The global seed market is worth $70 billion, projected to grow to over $100 billion by 2030.
  • Turkey's seed sector exports mainly go to the top three destinations: the EU (63%), Russia (20%), and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) countries (17%).

Sources:

  • Anadolu
  • Haci Omer Guler, chairman of the Turkish Seed Union (TURKTOB)