Turkey Focuses on Asian Markets for Seed Exports

September 8, 2026 · Tarım TV

Turkey is expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific market to enhance its global competitiveness in the seed industry and will host the International Seed Congress in 2026.

Strategic Move into the Asia-Pacific Market

Turkey aims to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific market to boost its global competitiveness in the seed industry. Burak Gönen, Chairman of the Turkish Seed Industry Association, stated that thanks to fundamental changes and strategic steps taken since 1980, Turkey has become a significant seed-producing country worldwide. Gönen pointed out that Turkey ranks among the top 5 countries globally in tomato supply and emphasized that agricultural and seed strategies are in full alignment with the Asia-Pacific region.

International Seed Congresses Hosted in Turkey

Reminding that Istanbul hosted the World Seed Congress of the International Seed Federation last year, Gönen announced a new global gathering. Gönen stated that the International Seed Congress (ASC 2026), organized by the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA), will be held in Turkey, noting that relations with APSA began during the COVID-19 pandemic and have rapidly strengthened. It was reported that the Turkish Seed Industry Association and the Union of Turkish Seed Producers are actively involved as members within APSA.

Bilateral Trade and Cooperation Vision

Stating that the upcoming ASC 2026 Congress is a concrete result of determined efforts towards the Asia-Pacific market, Burak Gönen, Chairman of the Turkish Seed Industry Association, conveyed the sector's cross-border vision with the following words:

'National seed production is very important, but when you look at seed companies, they are not progressing by targeting only their own country. We have many seed companies operating internationally. Therefore, they both import and export. Our goal in approaching the Asian market is to increase the commercial scale in seed production and foster greater integration among companies. It's about both attracting those companies here and charting a new roadmap for our companies to go there. Mutual trade is what matters.'

Digital Transformation and Technology in the Sector

Gönen mentioned that agricultural quarantine, technical applications, and sectoral collaborations will be discussed within the scope of ASC 2026, drawing attention to the high level of technical expertise required in the seed industry. He stated that international knowledge sharing is essential for soil fertility, combating the negative effects of climate change, and fighting viruses and bacteria. Burak Gönen, Chairman of the Turkish Seed Industry Association, said the following about the technological transformation in the sector:

'There is now digitalization in the seed industry. When you wear an international hat, you must acquire information, implement it, and compete. Artificial intelligence is a new technology for seed producers. Of course, there are companies using it, but there is still a distance to cover.'

$106 Million in Exports to Asia

According to data from the Turkish Seed Industry Association, Turkey exported a total of 40,384,966 kilograms of seeds to the Asian continent in 2025, generating $106,292,812 in foreign exchange revenue. Iraq ranked first in the list of countries receiving the most seed exports in the Asian market with 12,951,238 kilograms. Syria followed with 8,157,999 kilograms, and Uzbekistan with 2,996,981 kilograms. Cyprus, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan came after these countries.

Product Mix According to Regional Needs

The main backbone of Turkey's seed exports to the Asian market consists of hybrid corn, sunflower seeds, vegetable seeds, cereals, cotton seeds, and alfalfa varieties. The product mix varies according to the agricultural structure of the geographical regions. While field crops and seeds are in demand in the Central Asian and Caucasian markets, high-value-added vegetable seeds are prominent in East and South Asian markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

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