Determination and evaluation of the production, import and export potential of ornamental plants businesses: the case of İzmir province, Küçük Menderes basin

The purpose of this research; To determine the current situation of the ornamental plants sector in the districts within the Küçük Menderes basin and accordingly to determine the structure and production possibilities of the ornamental plants enterprises in the province of İzmir, which is the most important ornamental plant production center of our country, to compare their import and export potentials, determine the sector's problems and to propose some solutions to the problems. The primary data in the research consists of a survey and interviews with 152 ornamental plant enterprises included in the sample. With the data obtained from the web pages of the Izmir Governorship, Izmir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Izmir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, reports prepared by the District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry, Official Gazettes, Sector Reports prepared by the Ornamental Plants Producers Sub-Union, Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association. In addition, TUIK data were used as secondary data of the research. In addition, various publications, theses and articles on the subject and internet research were also used. As a result of the study, it has been determined that there is a serious informal production in the ornamental plants sector and this creates a huge problem in ensuring price stability. Another important problem is that there is data confusion on the basis of the sector, and the lack of sufficient statistical data on the basis of variety. The "Plant Passport and Operator Registration System" that is still in effect is not sufficient for ornamental plants and many businesses have serious problems in registering to the system. Sector producers stated that if they produce with standard and domestic seeds, they will gain serious markets in the foreign trade of the sector and this is now essential. It has been determined that the 18% VAT applied in the sector is very high, therefore all of the businesses advocate the necessity of VAT reduction and the businesses want the 10% VAT reduction made within the scope of COVID-19 to be permanent. The sector is experiencing financial problems as it does not receive serious government support. Although the sector has a dense workforce, it has difficulty in finding qualified personnel. It has been determined that the communication within the sector is in good or very good condition, businesses that do not have problems with each other tend to work together, and that these businesses want to work together with a serious rate. In order for the ornamental plants sector to grow and progress seriously and to have a real say in foreign markets, in order to solve the problems identified above; relevant public institutions and organizations, private and legal enterprises and sector stakeholders should come together, carry out joint work, create a consensus, create serious road maps on the basis of the sector, and these should be put into practice immediately. However, it is thought that it can become a competitive sector in this way. Keywords: İzmir, ornamental plants businesses, agricultural production, ornamental plants trade, business problems and suggestions