Turkey's position in vegetable seed foreign trade and its reflections on Antalya vegetable seed production

In today's world, where the effects of global climate change are becoming increasingly evident and the need for high-quality food production is gaining critical importance, the agricultural sector and particularly the seed industry as a strategic and economic component of it is becoming ever more vital. Agriculture is universally recognized as an indispensable sector due to its role in sustaining population livelihoods, contributing to national income and employment, supplying raw materials and capital to other industries, and its direct and indirect impact on both imports and exports. In the case of Turkey, agriculture has played a critical role in the country's economic and social development since the foundation of the Republic, and it continues to do so. Although Turkey holds significant potential in vegetable seed production, the sector faces structural challenges such as a shortage of qualified labour, high production costs, and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Addressing these issues requires strengthening the institutional capacities of seed companies, enhancing collaboration with universities, and prioritizing training programs for employees. Furthermore, the development of incentive mechanisms for production and export would facilitate access to international markets. Developing locally adapted and climate-resilient seed varieties through public–private partnerships will enhance Turkey's competitiveness in global markets. Supporting small-scale enterprises is also crucial for ensuring sustainable sectoral growth. Moreover, increasing global demand for drought- and disease-resistant cultivars, as well as for organic seeds in response to climate change, offers new opportunities for accessing alternative markets. Despite being a significant producer of vegetables, Turkey was historically dependent on foreign sources for vegetable seeds. However, recent policy interventions and state support have led to substantial progress in the seed sector. Although fluctuations exist over time, analyses of export and import figures indicate that Turkey's vegetable seed exports have surpassed its imports in most of the reviewed years. Turkey continues to strengthen its position in the global vegetable seed market and meets the demands of both domestic and international markets. The country's geopolitical position and climatic advantages contribute to its competitive edge in the seed industry. In particular, the Antalya province due to its mild climate that allows for year round production, tourism driven demand, and well-developed transportation infrastructure stands out as one of Turkey's leading regions in vegetable seed production. In 2002, certified seed production in Turkey totalled 145,227 tons. By 2023, this figure had increased ninefold, reaching 1,300,020 tons. In vegetable seeds, the share of domestic varieties increased from 10% in 2002 to approximately 55% as a result of breeding activities carried out by public and private institutions. For some vegetable types such as melon, pepper, and tomato, this ratio has reached up to 70%. Currently, there are 337 companies producing vegetable seeds in Turkey, 112 of which (33%) are located in the Antalya province. For this reason, Antalya was selected as the study area for the research. This study aims to emphasize Turkey's position in the foreign trade of vegetable seeds by analyzing import and export data and evaluating its economic significance. The research is based on secondary data, obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Turkish Seed Growers Association (TÜRKTOB), Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), International Seed Federation (ISF), and other relevant institutional reports, research papers, and statistical databases. Calculations were primarily carried out on selected seed types across various years using these data sources.