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Agricultural Products in Turkey
Turkey is one of the world’s leading producers of agricultural products. The agricultural industry in Turkey is one of the most sectors appealing to foreign investors, as well as one of the most important commercial sectors in the country, employing a substantial percentage of the workforce. Agricultural products in Turkey and their exports and imports boost the country’s economy significantly.
Turkey is a major producer of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, pomegranates, tomatoes, eggplants, and tobacco and tea, among other things. Local and foreign investors who want to establish a company in Turkey to sell agricultural goods must adhere to several rules that govern the product’s import and export.
The most significant rules regulating the import and export of agricultural goods are explained below by our business formation agents in Turkey. Those wishing to establish trade firms in Turkey can also seek our assistance by contacting us.
The laws governing the import and export of agricultural products in Turkey
Because the import and export of agricultural products are subject to stringent controls, many rules govern Turkish companies’ activity in this sector. Depending on the types of products they import or export, they must follow the following rules and regulations:
- The Turkish regulations for the registration and confirmation of food businesses,
- Companies must adhere to food hygiene and feed hygiene regulations,
- The Turkish Customs Authority’s regulation on official control of plant origin food and feed import,
- The rules for putting feeds on the market and using them, as well as the microbiological standards set out by the Turkish Food Codex Legislation,
- The regulation on risk assessment committees and commissions’ working procedures and principles,
- Health certificates for plant-based food and feed export, as well as implementing regulations for products returning from export.
It’s also worth noting that the Ministry of Trade updated several of the laws governing the import and export of agricultural products in 2019. Our Turkish business formation experts can provide in-depth knowledge of the rules that must be followed while importing and exporting agricultural products in Turkey.
Product safety control when importing or exporting agricultural products in or from Turkey
Given that Turkey is not an EU member and since the majority of its commercial operations are conducted with EU nations, the government began working on a system that is compliant with EU rules in 2004. TAREKS, or the Risk-Based Trade Control System, was launched in 2010 in this manner.
Turkish firms engaged in commercial operations can utilize TAREKS to employ e-signatures and have their products electronically inspected for any safety problems. According to Law No. 1/2019, Turkish firms importing goods into the nation would be subjected to a thorough inspection by the Turkish Standards Institution, which must adhere to the bare minimum of health, safety, and environmental protection standards.[1]
Law No.5/2019, which allows for the verification of products that require authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry before entering Turkey, is another essential safety control legislation.[1]
When agricultural exports are concerned, Turkish firms must adhere to EU rules as well as the national legislation of each country to which Turkish commodities are transported. Agricultural items exported by Turkish firms to non-EU countries must comply with local regulations and will be subject to inspection by customs officials in those countries.
Required import and export documents in Turkey
The paperwork that must accompany agricultural commodities imported or exported into or out of Turkey is one of the most essential parts of the process. The following items must be included with the products:
- The Turkish company’s import or export license, which it received after registering with the Turkish customs officials,
- The commercial invoice and the bill of transportation, which might be for landing, airway, or shipping, are two documents that must be kept together,
- When importing or exporting agricultural products in Turkey, a certificate of origin is also required,
- The phytosanitary certifications are also required when importing food and agricultural products in Turkey,
- On their labels, the items must also carry the Conformity Compliance (CE) mark,
In some situations, additional documentation is necessary, such as health certifications when importing or exporting plants and seeds.
The Agricultural Market in Turkey
Turkey is a prominent producer of a wide range of agricultural items, including; fruits and vegetables as well as tobacco, tea, and cotton. Since the 1980s, agricultural output has been increasing, and the country is embracing foreign investment in the industry.
Agriculture is one of the most significant sources of employment in the country, and the agriculture business contributes to a good net trade balance. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the country trades a variety of meats, seafood, dairy products, oilseeds, sugars, and confectionary, among other things.
Importers and exporters in Turkey’s agriculture industry must adhere to the regulatory environment for trade activities, as well as increasing regulatory controls for quality and performance. The method for establishing a Turkish company is simple, thus, a foreign investor may simply start an import or export business in the nation.
The average number of working days necessary to start a company in Turkey is around six. The process will be simple for the investor with the assistance of a skilled team of company formation agents in Turkey.
References
- Republic of Turkey – Ministry of Trade. Ministry of Trade. Retrieved July 11, 2021, from https://www.trade.gov.tr/legislation/product-safety-and-technical-regulation/product-safety-and-quality-control-system-on-import-export-in-turkey
