Turkey prepares new Market Law to regulate produce supply chains

Turkish ministries are developing a new Market Law (Hal Yasası) draft to restructure the fruit and vegetable supply chain. The regulation, a joint effort by the Ministries of Trade, Agriculture and Forestry, Treasury and Finance, and Labor and Social Security, aims to reduce intermediary costs, combat unregistered trade, and ensure producers receive fair compensation.

Key provisions of the draft include a requirement for major supermarket chains to source at least 20% of their produce directly from producers or producer organizations. The plan also seeks to prioritize domestic products on supermarket shelves through tax incentives and potential import quotas on items such as bananas, garlic, and lemons.

To strengthen the agricultural sector, the government aims to double the number of agricultural cooperatives in Turkey. The draft includes support measures for producers such as tax relief, and assistance with rent, storage, and transportation costs. Additionally, producer unions may receive financial support and free land allocations to establish their own commercial facilities. To increase transparency, the law proposes a digital tracking system for wholesale markets to monitor stock and food safety more strictly.