The Turkish agricultural sector has been facing several challenges lately, especially with high inflation and increasing production costs for the farmers, which have led the producer price index to constantly go up. Additionally, the share of the agricultural sector in the gross domestic product generally decreased throughout the past decade and hit the lowest point as of 2022, at 5.8 percent. Despite these developments, production and trade in this sector did not lose momentum.
At the same time, the manufacturing of vegetables recorded a constant increase over the span of years. In 2023, about 31.8 million metric tons of vegetables were produced by Turkish farmers. As one of the leading tomato producers in the world, Turkey registered a peak volume of harvest in 2023, with above 13 megatons of tomatoes.
In terms of livestock, Turkey had a population of nearly 69 million heads, containing sheep, cattle, goats, and buffalo. In 2023, the total number of sheep was the highest among the livestock, having risen to over 42 million. Additionally, the capacity of poultry meat production in the country increased from 1.5 million metric tons in 2010 to 2.4 million in 2023.
Turkey has a rich agricultural potential, considering its geographic location, biodiversity, diverse climate, and soil. Although there is a decrease in its contribution to the national income, agriculture is still a significant industry supporting the Turkish nation and economy.
Cereals dominate the Turkish crop production segment
Turkey is among the leading producers of various cereals, especially barley. Among major barley producers, Turkey was listed sixth, with an estimated production of eight million metric tons in the 2023/2024 marketing year. Additionally, cereal production in the country peaked in 2023 at 42.2 million metric tons. In comparison, the volume of cereals produced in 2001 was 29.6 million metric tons.At the same time, the manufacturing of vegetables recorded a constant increase over the span of years. In 2023, about 31.8 million metric tons of vegetables were produced by Turkish farmers. As one of the leading tomato producers in the world, Turkey registered a peak volume of harvest in 2023, with above 13 megatons of tomatoes.
Fisheries & animal products
As a country surrounded by sea on three sides, fishing has been an important industry for Turkey. However, the production volume of aquaculture surpassed the capture fisheries after 2014, having reached the highest share of manufacturing as of 2022. That year, Turkish aquaculture businesses produced nearly 515,000 metric tons of fishery products.In terms of livestock, Turkey had a population of nearly 69 million heads, containing sheep, cattle, goats, and buffalo. In 2023, the total number of sheep was the highest among the livestock, having risen to over 42 million. Additionally, the capacity of poultry meat production in the country increased from 1.5 million metric tons in 2010 to 2.4 million in 2023.
Agricultural trade
In 2022, Turkey's balance of trade in agricultural products demonstrated a surplus of 2.3 billion U.S. dollars. Among the various goods exported from the country, cereals and pulses occupied the biggest share in 2022, at 44.5 percent. Furthermore, Turkey has been known as one of the leading producers and exporters of cotton. In 2022/2023, 180,000 metric tons of cotton were sold to the rest of the world, which placed Turkey seventh in the global ranking.Turkey has a rich agricultural potential, considering its geographic location, biodiversity, diverse climate, and soil. Although there is a decrease in its contribution to the national income, agriculture is still a significant industry supporting the Turkish nation and economy.
