Turkey's certified seed exports have increased approximately eightfold in 20 years

Turkey's certified seed exports have recorded a general upward trend for 20 years.

Turkey's exports, which were $47 million 93 thousand in 2006, increased about eight times to 368 million 42 thousand dollars by the end of 2025.

Particularly noteworthy during this period is the increase in exports of sunflowers, vegetable crops and corn seeds. The export volume of sunflower seeds, which was 17 million 842 thousand dollars in 2006, increased about ten times and reached 178 million 878 thousand dollars in 2025.

In the last 20 years, corn exports reached 74 million 720 thousand dollars from 15 million 129 thousand dollars. Exports of the product in question therefore increased approximately fivefold. It was observed that the export of vegetable crops increased 10.3 times, increasing from 5 million 356 thousand dollars to 57,352 thousand dollars.

When looking at the quantities, it was found that sunflower seeds came first. Last year, 25,209 tons of sunflower seeds were exported. Sunflowers were followed by corn with 23,357 tons and wheat seeds with 21,716 tons.

“We have achieved a steady increase in seed exports”

Kayhan Yıldırım, Chairman of the Turkish Seed Growers Association (TÜRKTOB), said that Türkiye has achieved a steady increase in seed exports.

Stating that seed exports, which were 47 million 93 thousand dollars in 2006, exceeded 368 million dollars at the end of 2025, Yıldırım stated that the foreign trade volume including imports reached 653 million dollars. Yıldırım stated that foreign trade recorded a surplus of $83 million in seeds alone.

Emphasizing that the export-import coverage ratio of seeds has reached 129 percent, Yıldırım stated that the increase in exports shows the competitiveness of the Turkish seed industry in foreign markets.

Yıldırım shared that Türkiye is ranked 10th in the global ranking of seed production value and continued as follows:

“Our goal is to improve our position among the top 5 in the global seed trade. While meeting the needs of the domestic market, we are also trying to open up to the foreign market and take an effective place in the global seed market. We are working hard to subject the seeds of new brand varieties with high added value, propagating material and technological products to foreign trade.”

Stating that they have reaped the fruits of their heavy investments in research and development and local plant breeding efforts, Yıldırım celebrated World Farmers' Day, All Farmers' Day, on May 14.