Tomato production case and marketing structure in Hatay province

In this study, it is aimed to determine the production status of tomatoes in the open and under cover, the marketing structure, the effectiveness of the marketing organization, the problems experienced during production and marketing in Hatay province, and to present solutions. Data were collected by conducting face-to-face interviews with the producers who grow tomatoes in the open and under cover, with the help of 4 different questionnaires, with the intermediaries engaged in the open and greenhouse tomato trade during the marketing phase. In order to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the production and marketing situation in the region and to identify the opportunities and threats in the sector, SWOT (Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats) analysis was conducted. Although the geographical location of Hatay province is suitable for tomato production activities, the production amount and cultivation areas have decreased in recent years. It was determined that there was an average of 69.72% decrease in tomato production area between 2010-2020 in Hatay province, while there was a 66.64% decrease in the amount of production. The most important reasons for this are the high production costs, lack of organization, lack of storage facilities in production, and plant pests and diseases. According to the results of the research, it can be said that tomato production activities can be increased in the future with the arrangements in technical and financial support to be made by the relevant institutions.