The importance of good agricultural practices (GAP) in the context of quality practices in agriculture and a sample application

Agricultural sector has an important place in Turkey?s economy. By looking over the past years in country?s history, as most of the country?s exports consist of agricultural products. So foreign trade of agricultural products is crucially important for Turkey. Major retailer associations (supermarkets and hypermarkets) determined minimum standards by making regulations for agricultural products grown in the EU(European Union) or imported from other countries in order to provide healthy products for consumers. These standards are constituted as a result of entrepreneurs initiatives depends on European retailer working group. In this context, using fewer chemicals in agriculture sector by applying good agriculture practices and hence protecting consumers? health are appropriated.Retailer demand is rapidly growing for GLOBALGAP certificatedproducts in the EU. This is very important because of EU is the target market for Turkey. Majority of fresh fruit and vegetable export is exported EU countries.In this study; the information about the state of art of food standards,food safety issues, food safety management systems in Turkey and EuropeanUnion are given. Turkish competitive fresh fig and cherry market power with exporting fresh fruit export success when GLOBALPGAP applications expandsearched with ALARA?s case study.