Home to the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Türkiye’s agricultural sector today is echoing the prosperity of ancient Mesopotamia. With its favorable geographical conditions and climate, large arable lands, and abundant water supplies, Türkiye is considered to be one of the leading countries in the world in the field of agriculture and food.
Türkiye has a robust agriculture and food industry that employed almost 18 percent of the country’s working population and that accounted for 6.5 percent of the country’s GDP in 2022. The sector's financial contribution to the overall GDP was USD 58.5 billion in 2022.
The strengths of the industry include the size of the market in relation to the country’s young population, a dynamic private sector economy, substantial tourism income, and a favorable climate.
Türkiye is the world’s 10th largest agricultural producer and is the world leader in the production of apricots, cherries, figs, hazelnuts, and quinces. The country is also the number one global exporter of dried apricots, dried figs, quinces, raisins and flour (wheat). Türkiye boasted production of 24 million tons of milk, making it the leading milk and dairy producer in its region. In addition, Türkiye has an estimated total of 11,000 plant species, whereas the total number of species in Europe is 11,500.
This bountiful production allows Türkiye to maintain a significantly positive trade balance thanks to its position as one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and North Africa (EMENA) region. Globally, Türkiye exported about 1,800 kinds of agricultural products to more than 190 countries in 2022, accounting for an export volume of USD 30 billion.
Türkiye has significant investment opportunities in agribusiness subsectors such as greenhouse production, animal and plant-based proteins, seeds, walnuts and almonds, pet food, infant food, and aquaculture, among others.
Türkiye is looking to position itself as the preferred option for being the regional headquarters and supply center of top global players in the agricultural sector. Türkiye offers a set of incentives for potential agribusiness investors to encourage investment in the sector.
