# Turkish agricultural import and production policy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-agricultural-import-and-production-policy
> Updated: 2026-08-30T23:33:02.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 2.

Turkey continues to navigate complex agricultural challenges involving import policies, market volatility, and climate impacts. The ongoing debate regarding onion import duties persists, with local producers protesting policies they claim undermine domestic farming.

In Tekirdağ, the harvest of the geographically indicated onion variety has commenced. This specific variety is grown on dry, unwatered land and is valued for its high aroma and long storage capacity, serving as a preferred choice for restaurants and a source for green onion production.

Economic pressures are mounting across several sectors. In Silifke, lemon producers have reported significant losses after being forced to sell stored crops at lower rates than anticipated. In Manisa, raisin producers are calling on the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) to establish floor prices to mitigate market uncertainty and rising input costs. Similarly, sunflower producers in Edirne have expressed concern that reduced customs duties during the harvest period have driven market prices down. Chickpea growers have also joined calls for TMO intervention to combat import competition.

Climate conditions continue to produce mixed results. While heavy rainfall and flooding in Samsun and Tokat have threatened hazelnut crops and devastated thousands of decares of farmland, seasonal rains have benefited other regions. Siirt pistachio producers expect high yields, and Adana producers report high-quality harvests with prices reaching 100 TL per kilogram. Additionally, a new project in Şanlıurfa is providing modern greenhouse support to 40 producers to improve efficiency and sustainability. Despite regional successes, agricultural leaders continue to call for better financial support, updated credit limits, and more protective trade policies.

## Claims

- Tekirdağ onion is used as a primary stock for green onion production because it produces at least 3-4 eyes when split. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Approximately 5,700 tons of Tekirdağ onion are expected to be harvested from 4,400 decares of land this year. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Tekirdağ onions are highly resilient and can be grown in arid, non-irrigated lands. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Farmers in Niğde expressed a preference for reducing input costs, such as fertilizer and fuel, over receiving direct government subsidies. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Agricultural producers reported significant increases in the costs of fertilizer, diesel, and electricity. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The extension of the 5 percent customs duty on dry onion imports until January 31, 2027, harms local producers. (single source)
- Dry onion production in Turkey is expected to decrease by 13.5 percent to approximately 2.5 million tons in the 2026 season. (single source)
- İsmail Sancakçavuşu called for the implementation of floor prices for sunflower and wheat crops. (single source)
- The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) set the wheat purchase price at 16.75 TL. (single source)
- TMO announced that payments for wheat would be processed within 20 to 30 days. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-30: Turkish agricultural sector faces widespread economic pressure

Turkish farmers face severe economic challenges from rising costs, import competition, and price instability, despite localized successes in specific crop harvests like pistachios and onions.

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-onion-producers-face-import-challenges-amid-tekirda-harvest

### 2026-08-27: Turkey adjusts customs duties on onion and sunflower seed imports

Turkey has extended a 5% customs duty on onion imports until 2027 and adjusted sunflower seed import duties to ensure food supply security and price stability.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-adjusts-customs-duties-on-onion-and-sunflower-seed-imports

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Cite as: Turkish agricultural import and production policy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-agricultural-import-and-production-policy