Importing and Exporting Agricultural Products in Turkey

Turkey is one of the world’s largest agricultural products producers and its agricultural sector is attractive for foreign investors and also one of the business sectors in the country that accounts for a large percentage of employment. Turkey is an important producer of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, pomegranates, tomatoes, eggplants ant other products like tobacco or tea. 

Local and foreign investors who want to open trading companies with the purpose of commercializing agricultural products must respect several regulations which provide for the import and export of such products.

Our company formation agents in Turkey explain below the most important regulations in regard to importing and exporting agricultural products. We can also assist those who want to set up trading companies in Turkey.

The main laws governing the import and export of agricultural goods in Turkey

Because the import and export of agricultural products implies strict control regulations, there are several laws which provide for the activities of Turkish companies in this field. They are required to comply with the following laws and regulations depending on the types of products they import or export:

1. the Regulations related to the Registry and Confirmation of Food Businesses in Turkey;
2. the Regulations on Food Hygiene and Feed Hygiene must also be respected by companies;
3. the Regulation on Official Control of Plant Origin Food and Feed Import imposed by the Turkish Customs Authority;
4. the Regulation on Placing Feeds on Market and Their Usage and the Food Codex Microbiological Criteria;
5. the Regulation on the Working Procedures and Principles of Risk Assessment Committees and Commissions;
6. the Issue of Health Certificate for Food of Plant Origin and Feed Export and Implementing Regulation for Products that Return from Export.

It is also important to note that in 2019, the Ministry for Trade has amended some of the regulations related to the import and export of agricultural products.

Our Turkish company formation specialists can offer detailed information on the laws which need to be respected when importing and exporting agricultural products.

Safety control when importing/exporting agricultural products in/from Turkey

Considering Turkey is not an EU member state and most if its trading activities are completed with EU countries, starting with 2004, the government has worked on a system which is harmonized with the EU legislation. This is how the Risk-Based Trade Control System or TAREKS has been launched in 2010.

Through TAREKS, Turkish companies involved in trading activities can use e-signatures and have their goods checked electronically for any safety issues.

Based on Law No. 1/2019, Turkish companies importing goods into the country will be subject to an inspection completed by the Turkish Standards Institution which must respect the minimum health, safety and protection of environment regulations.

Another important safety control regulation was enabled by Law No.5/2019, which provides for the verification of goods which need to obtain a permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry before entering Turkey.

When it comes to the export of agricultural products, Turkish companies must comply with the EU regulations imposed within the European Community, as well as with the national laws of each country the Turkish goods are delivered. In non-EU countries, agricultural products exported by Turkish companies must respect the national laws and will be subject to the control of customs authorities in the respective countries.

If you want to open a company in Turkey and need assistance in registering with the authorities in order to be able for import and export agricultural products, you can rely on our local consultants.

The main import/export documents in Turkey

One of the most important aspects related to importing and exporting agricultural goods in/from Turkey is the documentation which must accompany the merchandise. The products must be accompanied by:

• - the import/export license obtained the Turkish company upon registration with the Customs Authorities;
• - the commercial invoice and the bill of transport, which can be of landing, airway or shipment;
• - the Certificate of Origin must also be provided when importing/exporting agricultural goods;
• - the phytosanitary certificates are also mandatory when importing food and agricultural commodities;
• - the products must also bear the CE (Conformity Compliance) mark on their labels.

Other documents, such as health certificates when importing or exporting plants and seeds are also required in certain cases.

Trading companies in Turkey

Companies that want to import and export agricultural products in Turkey can focus on trading various goods or specializing in just a few products that are well received by the European market and other markets.

The Turkish government encourages investments in the agricultural field and supports investors through:

• - tax benefits,
• - farm credits,
• - crop subsidies,
• - research and education programs etc.

If you would like to engage in trading in the agricultural sector, our company registration agents in Turkey can help you open a company.

The agricultural market in Turkey

Turkey is a successful producer of a large number of agricultural products that include fruits and vegetables and other goods like tobacco, tea or cotton. The agricultural output has been growing since the 1980s and the country is welcoming foreign investments in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture is one of the most important sources of employment and the country has a positive net trade from agribusiness. The country does not only trade fruits and vegetables, but also various types of meat, fish, dairy products, oil seeds, sugars and confectionery and others.

Companies that perform imports and exports in the agricultural sector need to observe the regulatory environment for trade activities and comply with an increased regulatory control for quality and performance. The Turkish company incorporation procedure is straightforward and import business can be easily opened by a foreign investor in the country. On average, the number of days required to set up a business is about six working days. With the help of a qualified team of company formation agents in Turkey, the process will be easy for the investor.

Business opportunities in the Turkish agricultural sector

The Turkish agricultural sector offers many business opportunities and companies that trade agricultural products can choose a specific line of imports and exports or they can handle trade in various sectors and sub-sectors. Some of the most profitable agricultural sectors in Turkey are:

• - fruits and vegetable processing,
• - animal feed,
• - life-stock (including fish, poultry, ovine and bovine live-stock).

If you want to open a company in Turkey in the trading field, you should know that agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in the country, based on the following information:

• - the total local production of agricultural products in Turkey is expected to have a total value of 45,376 million USD;
• - the total value of exports of agricultural, forestry and aquaculture products is expected to amount up to 18,500 million USD in 2019;
• - the total value of imports of the same goods in 2019 is expected to reach 14,900 million USD;
• - the total value of the agricultural import/export market in Turkey in 2019 is predicted to reach 41,776 million USD.

If you would like to open an import and export business in Turkey or simply need more information about foreign investments in this country, please do not hesitate to contact our company registration agents in Turkey.