Turkish agricultural insurance reforms

The push for agricultural insurance reform in Turkey began following a parliamentary inquiry by Isparta Deputy Hikmet Yalım Halıcı. Halıcı raised concerns regarding rising TARSİM premiums and surcharges for 2026, noting that high costs were forcing some producers, particularly apple farmers in the Eğirdir region, to opt out of insurance despite increasing risks from spring frosts, droughts, and hail.

In response to these climate-related risks, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced an expansion of the Agricultural Insurance Pool (TARSİM) for 2027. To mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, the number of products protected against frost will increase from 9 to 25, adding items such as walnuts, almonds, figs, kiwi, bananas, chestnuts, and pomegranates. The Basic Insurance Package will also expand to cover 25 products, and Income Protection Insurance will include tritikale alongside wheat, barley, and rye. Watermelon insurance has also been added following producer requests.

New protections include coverage for sugar beet seed production against wild boar damage and landslide damage caused by snow. In the livestock sector, calves can now be insured from birth, and the hive value for beekeeping has been increased to 6,500 TL. Greenhouse producers will receive increased repair support and premium discounts for modernization. Additionally, the Parcel-Based Yield Insurance pilot program, designed to protect against drought-related losses, will expand from Tekirdağ to Şanlıurfa and Kayseri, with intentions for a nationwide rollout.