Outlook on vegetable production in Turkey

Although a spectacular development realized in recent years in industrial and service sectors, agriculture still retains its important role in the economy of Turkey. Agriculture provides about 35% employment within the working population and ensures 14% of GNP. Vegetable growing is one of the most dynamic activities in agriculture and horticulture. The total vegetable production is nearly 30 million tons, potatoes included, produced on approximately 1.2 million ha. There is a linear increase in the production and growth rate is 3.5% per year. About 75% of produced vegetables are consumed freshly in the country, 22% of them are used in processing and 3% is exported. Half of the processed products is exported. The main vegetable growing areas are the Mediterranean, the Aegean and Marmara's coastal regions. 85% of total production is realized on open field and 15% under protection. Greenhouses and plastic tunnels areas reached 30 and 23 thousand hectares, respectively. Protected cultivation is mainly located in Mediterranean Region. Vegetable growing enterprises are very small and this situation cause serious difficulties in mechanization and commercialization. A new tendency in recent years is the establishment of big and modern farms, especially for greenhouse growing. The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs promotes modernization of techniques and technologies used in this sector as well as seed and nursery business.