Turkey’s Pesticide Registration: 4,974 Certificates Dominated by Suspension and Emulsifiable Concentrates

Agricultural Overview and Economic Importance

Turkey ranks as the world’s seventh-largest agricultural producer and the ninth-largest agricultural production area. With a solid agricultural foundation, it achieves self-sufficiency in key crops such as grain, cotton, oil, and sugar. The country has enhanced its agricultural mechanization, leading to a continuously expanding mechanized farming area. In 2023, the agricultural sector accounted for 14.8% of Turkey’s labor force and contributed 5.9% to the national GDP.

Turkey is renowned for producing tobacco, cotton, rice, olives, and citrus, among other staple crops. The country dominates global production of dried figs, hazelnuts, raisins, apricots, and honey. Its production of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, and apricots ranks first globally, while watermelons, sour cherries, cucumbers, and chickpeas hold second place. Other significant crops include citrus, apples, pistachios, strawberries, chestnuts, and walnuts, cementing Turkey’s strong position in the global agricultural market.

Geographical and Economic Advantages

Turkey’s strategic location between Europe and Asia offers unique agricultural and trade benefits. Surrounded by four seas—the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea—and traversed by two critical waterways, the Dardanelles and Bosporus Straits, Turkey enjoys a competitive edge in maritime transportation.

The country’s export economy thrives with key goods like automobiles ($35 billion), chemicals ($30.57 billion), and textiles ($19.25 billion). Imports focus on motor vehicles ($30.837 billion) and machinery ($25.22 billion).

Agricultural Development and the Pesticide Market

Under the ″Turkey Century Vision″ introduced by President Erdogan in 2022, agriculture’s core goals include high yields, production development, and sustainability. The growing reliance on agricultural inputs, particularly pesticides, plays a crucial role in achieving these objectives.

Currently, Turkey has registered 4,974 pesticide products across 194 companies. Of these, 98.75% are conventional chemical pesticides, while biological pesticides account for 1.25%. The top 10 companies dominate 39.97% of the market, with most being local entities.

Data time: August 7, 2024

Data source: Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

Pesticide Formulations and Active Ingredients

Among pesticide formulations, suspension concentrates (24.05%) and emulsifiable concentrates (23.42%) are the most prevalent, jointly comprising nearly 50% of registrations. The top 10 formulations account for over 90% of the registered products.

Data time: August 7, 2024

Data source: Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

Active Ingredients in Major Pesticide Categories

    •   Fungicides: Top 10 fungicides account for 33.92% of all registered pesticide products in Turkey. The most widely used active ingredient is tebuconazole, which is included in 159 products, representing 3.2% of all pesticide registrations. Azoxystrobin follows, featured in 142 products, which accounts for 2.85%. Other important fungicides include cymoxanil, used in 97 products (1.95%), pyraclostrobin in 92 products (1.85%), and fludioxonil in 91 products (1.83%).

Data time: August 7, 2024

Data source: Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

    •   Herbicides: Herbicides make up 28.07% of all pesticide registrations. The leading active ingredient is glyphosate-isopropylammonium , found in 80 products, accounting for 1.61% of total registrations. Pendimethalin ranks second, used in 76 products (1.53%), and nicosulfuron is third, appearing in 73 products (1.47%). Other significant herbicides include florasulam  in 67 products (1.35%) and mesotrione in 60 products (1.21%).

Data time: August 7, 2024

Data source: Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

    •   Insecticides: Insecticides represent 21.79% of all pesticide registrations. Avermectin is the most commonly used active ingredient, included in 98 products and representing 1.97% of total pesticide registrations. High-efficiency cyhalothrin follows with 82 products (1.65%), while acetamiprid is included in 72 products (1.45%). Other notable insecticides include deltamethrin in 63 products (1.27%) and indoxacarb in 62 products (1.25%).

Data time: August 7, 2024

Data source: Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

Conclusion

Turkey’s robust agricultural sector, combined with its geographical advantages and strategic economic focus, positions it as a leader in global agricultural markets. The country’s well-structured pesticide market, dominated by chemical products and concentrated in specific formulations and active ingredients, reflects its commitment to meeting agricultural challenges and driving sustainability.