Turkey aims top 5 in seed trade in world

Chairman of Turkish Association of Seed Growers (TÜRKTOB) Kamil Yılmaz said that the sector exported seeds valued at 136 million US dollars and produced 1,050,000 tons of certified seed in 2017 and increased its short-term goal up to 1.5 million tons of certified seed annually.

Having exported 136 million US dollars of seeds in 2017, the seed growing sector have managed to increase its production for 3.5 times in the last decade and export for 8 times in the last 15 years respectively. There are 832 companies operating in the seed growing sector in Turkey. 778 of these companies are of domestic capital while 22 are international partnered and 32 are international companies. Last year, the sector produced 1,050,000 tons of certified seeds and it is anticipated that it will increase its production and export even further.

“International Growtech Eurasia Agriculture Fair prepares to host over 85,000 visitors from more than 100 countries with 800 brands from 30 countries in Antalya…”

Including primarily the seed growing, sectors of Greenhouse and irrigation Technologies, Plant Nutrition and Protection and Tractor and Agricultural Machinery have been meeting at International Growtech Eurasia which is the world’s biggest exhibition in greenhouse industry in Antalya for 18 years. Highlighting that Growtech Eurasia is an export-centered fair, Growtech Brand Director Engin Er said, our International Growtech Eurasia Agricultural Fair will host 800 companies and brands from 30 countries with the main theme of ‘Global Meeting of Agriculture and Technology’ on an area of 50,000 sqm at Antalya Export Center between 28 November-1 December 2018. Growtech Eurasia is an international arena which brings together our exhibitors who want to enhance their export potential and look for new markets. Last year, we increased the number of international visitors at 35%; great number of representatives from countries including China, USA, Sweden, Cameroon and Sri Lanka were at Growtech Eurasia. Our objective this year is to host over 85,000from more than 100 countries in Antalya and take the 600-700 million US dollars of business volume on average for the sector to next levels each year.”

“Our goal is to be in top 5 seed exporting countries in the world…”

Saying, “Seed will be one of the most important agenda topics in the agricultural sector this year”, TÜRKTOB Chairman Kamil Yılmaz added, “We made an export valued at 136 million US dollars to 80 countries in Europe, America and Africa in 2017. Turkey is in the 10th place among seed exporting countries; our goal is to be in top 5th Growtech Eurasia International Greenhouse Agricultural Equipment and Technologies Fair, which is organized in Antalya as the most important fair of the sector, has been offering new market opportunities to our sector for 18 years. As one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Turkey with 7 sub-associations and 43,000 members, we will be at Growtech Eurasia between 28 November-1 December 2018. This year, we expect over 85,000 visitors from over 100 countries in America, Asia, Europe and Africa with 800 companies and brands from over 30 countries. Growtech Eurasia means increasing the potential of export for us.”

“We increased our goal of seed production up to 1.5 million tons.”

Yılmaz said, “We produced 1,050,000 tons of certified seed, imported 40 thousand tons of seed and exported 44 thousand tons of seed in 2017, stating that they, as the seed growing sector, increased their annual production goal up to 1.5 million tons. The imported seeds were valued at 185 million US dollars while the exported seeds were valued at 136 million US dollars. The export covers the import at the rate of 73% in the Turkish seed growing sector; when including seedlings, saplings and ornamental plants, this rate is over 90%.”

Emphasizing that the seeding period is near, Yılmaz added, “Certified seed means increased productivity and quality. As the product will also comply with the standards, it means that our growers will earn even more.”

“Hosted Buyers from all over the world will be at Growtech Eurasia…”

Growtech Eurasia International Agriculture Fair will the Hosted Buyer Programme under the coordinatorship of T.R. Ministry of Finance and the Organization of West Mediterranean Exporters Association (WMEA) and present a platform for private business meetings for international suppliers and purchasers during the fair. With the 11th ATSO Growtech Agricultural Innovation Awards in cooperation with Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, private sector and public agencies operating in the agricultural sector and innovative products and services that create sectoral awareness will be supported, and added value to agricultural production will be assisted. Agricultural Conversations which was organised last year for the first time and attracted great attention will be held for the second time, and prominent leaders of the sector will be speakersg in the conversations. A mobile application will put into effect so that visitors can have a more productive fair experience at Growtech Eurasia held on an area of 50,000m².