New Nine-Article Produce Market Law Heads to Parliament

October 30, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

The long-awaited draft Produce Market Law, condensed into 9 core articles through the joint efforts of four ministries, is set to be presented to Parliament.

New Nine-Article Produce Market Draft

Preparations for the Produce Market Law, long awaited under the roof of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), have regained momentum. According to information reported by Besti Karalar from the Ekonomim newspaper, the draft text, initially around 30 articles and prepared by the relevant ministries, has been narrowed down to a fundamental 9-article regulation. The work, carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, aims to be passed by Parliament during the current legislative period. The regulation, shaped by the AK Party Group and ministry bureaucrats, targets the strengthening of producer organizations and the complete elimination of the informal economy in agricultural trade.

Digital Tracking from Farm to Market

Central to the new legal framework is uninterrupted product traceability from the farm to retail sales points. Within the scope of the regulation, digital tracking systems will be established in produce markets to ensure that notification, sales, and inspection mechanisms operate much more transparently and rapidly. Institutional responsibilities for stock tracking, quality classification, and food safety criteria will be increased in wholesale markets. While the aim is to eliminate intermediaries between producers and final consumers, it will be facilitated for farmers to deliver their produce directly to markets, consumption points, or online channels. This step is planned to reduce intermediary costs and prevent unfair price increases.

Domestic Produce Mandate and Sanctions

The draft text imposes comprehensive obligations on retail chains to protect domestic agricultural production and increase its market share. While it will be mandatory to stock domestic produce on a significant portion of market shelves, tax advantages are foreseen for businesses selling domestic crops. Simultaneously, the aim is to double the number of agricultural cooperatives and increase producer power. Heavy administrative fines, as well as prison sentences, are clarified in the draft for those who do not comply with the established transparency principles in sales and pricing processes. These sanctions aim to completely prevent unregulated practices and speculative gains in the food supply chain.

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