Obtaining Organic Certification in Turkey

Introduction

The global demand for organic agricultural products continues to grow, presenting a significant opportunity for Turkish farmers and agricultural businesses. Turkey, with its diverse climatic conditions and rich agricultural traditions, is well-positioned to become a leading producer of organic goods. However, navigating the organic certification process can be complex and challenging for many producers.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the organic certification process in Turkey, covering everything from initial requirements to maintaining your certification and the benefits it can bring to your agricultural business.

Understanding Organic Agriculture in Turkey

Organic agriculture in Turkey has seen significant growth over the past two decades. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the area under organic cultivation has increased from approximately 90,000 hectares in 2004 to over 520,000 hectares in 2023. This growth reflects both domestic and international demand for Turkish organic products.

The Turkish organic sector is regulated by the "Organic Agriculture Law" (No. 5262) and associated regulations that align with international standards, particularly those of the European Union. This regulatory framework ensures that Turkish organic products meet global requirements, facilitating export opportunities.

The Organic Certification Process in Turkey

1. Preliminary Assessment and Planning

Before embarking on the certification journey, it's essential to assess whether your farm or operation is suitable for organic production:

• Evaluate your land's history (previous land use and chemical applications)
• Assess proximity to conventional farms and potential contamination risks
• Review your current farming practices against organic requirements
• Develop a comprehensive conversion plan

This preliminary phase is crucial as it helps identify potential challenges and provides a realistic timeline for achieving certification. At Baykar Farm, we spent six months in this planning phase, which significantly smoothed our transition to organic practices.

2. Selecting a Certification Body

In Turkey, organic certification must be conducted by authorized control and certification bodies approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Currently, there are about 30 such organizations operating in Turkey.

When selecting a certification body, consider:

• Their experience with your specific type of agricultural product
• Whether they provide certification for your target export markets
• Their reputation and recognition in international markets
• Fee structure and service coverage
• Availability of guidance throughout the certification process

It's advisable to contact multiple certification bodies to compare services and fees before making your decision.

3. Application and Initial Inspection

Once you've selected a certification body, the formal process begins:

1. Submit an application with detailed information about your operation
2. Provide a history of land use and materials applied
3. Develop and submit an Organic System Plan (OSP) detailing your production methods, inputs, and monitoring systems
4. Schedule and undergo an initial on-site inspection

The initial inspection is comprehensive, examining all aspects of your operation including fields, facilities, equipment, records, and input materials. The inspector will verify that your practices align with organic standards and identify any areas that need improvement.

4. The Conversion Period

One of the most challenging aspects of organic certification is the mandatory conversion period:

• For annual crops: 2 years before sowing
• For perennial crops: 3 years before the first harvest
• For livestock: varies by species (typically 6-12 months)

During this period, you must adhere to organic practices, but your products cannot be sold as "organic." However, after the first year, products can sometimes be marketed as "in-conversion to organic," which may command a small premium over conventional products.

5. Documentation and Record Keeping

Comprehensive record-keeping is fundamental to organic certification. You'll need to maintain detailed records of:

• Seeds and planting materials (origin, treatment, GMO-free status)
• All inputs used (fertilizers, pest control substances, etc.)
• Field activities (planting, harvesting, rotation plans)
• Harvest and post-harvest handling
• Storage and transportation
• Sales and transaction certificates

These records must be maintained for at least five years and be readily available for inspection at any time.

6. Annual Inspections and Certification Renewal

Organic certification is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing process. To maintain certification:

• Undergo annual on-site inspections
• Submit updated organic system plans
• Address any non-compliances identified during inspections
• Pay annual certification fees

Additionally, unannounced inspections may occur to ensure continuous compliance with organic standards.

Key Requirements for Organic Certification

Soil and Crop Management

Organic certification requires practices that maintain or improve soil health:

• Crop rotation to break pest cycles and enhance soil fertility
• Use of cover crops and green manures
• Application of approved organic fertilizers and soil amendments
• Prohibition of synthetic fertilizers and sewage sludge

Pest, Disease, and Weed Management

Organic producers must adopt an integrated approach:

• Prevention through selection of resistant varieties and cultural practices
• Mechanical and physical methods (traps, barriers, sound, light)
• Biological controls (beneficial insects, microorganisms)
• Use of approved organic substances as a last resort

Seeds and Planting Materials

Organic producers should use:

• Organically produced seeds and planting materials when available
• Untreated conventional seeds if organic versions are not commercially available
• Non-GMO varieties only

Buffer Zones and Contamination Prevention

To prevent contamination from neighboring conventional farms:

• Establish adequate buffer zones
• Implement physical barriers where necessary
• Clean equipment used for both organic and conventional operations
• Maintain separate storage facilities for organic products

Costs and Financial Considerations

Transitioning to organic production involves various costs:

• Application and inspection fees (typically 2,000-5,000 TL annually, depending on farm size and complexity)
• Potential yield decreases during the conversion period
• Investment in new equipment or infrastructure
• Additional labor costs for manual weed control and other organic practices
• Record-keeping and administration time

However, these costs can be offset by:

• Premium prices for organic products (typically 20-50% higher than conventional)
• Government subsidies for organic farming (approximately 100 TL/decare for field crops and 300 TL/decare for fruit production)
• Reduced input costs for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
• Access to specialized export markets

Government Support for Organic Producers in Turkey

The Turkish government offers several support mechanisms for organic producers:

• Direct area-based subsidies for certified organic production
• Interest-free or low-interest loans for organic farming investments
• Technical support and training through agricultural extension services
• Support for participation in international organic trade fairs
• Rural development grants with priority for organic projects

To access these supports, farmers must register with the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS) and provide their organic certification documents to the provincial directorates of agriculture.

Case Study: Baykar Farm's Organic Certification Journey

Our journey to organic certification at Baykar Farm began in 2018 with our apple orchards in the Isparta region. Key milestones included:

• Initial assessment (3 months): Soil testing, production system evaluation, and development of conversion strategy
• Certification body selection (1 month): Evaluation of three certification bodies, with final selection based on expertise in fruit exports
• Conversion period (36 months): Implementation of organic practices, establishment of buffer zones, and development of record-keeping systems
• First certification (2021): Full organic certification achieved for 120 hectares of apple orchards
• Market premium: 35% price premium achieved for our organic apples in European markets

Challenges we faced included managing apple scab without conventional fungicides, which required investment in weather monitoring stations and precision application of approved organic materials. We also needed to develop new markets for our organic products, which initially involved higher marketing costs.

Conclusion

Obtaining organic certification in Turkey requires significant commitment, planning, and adaptation of farming practices. However, the growing domestic and international demand for organic products makes this investment increasingly worthwhile for many Turkish agricultural businesses.

The key to successful certification is thorough preparation, selection of the right certification partner, and establishment of robust management systems. While the process can be challenging, particularly during the conversion period, the long-term benefits—including premium prices, reduced input costs, and environmental sustainability—make organic certification an attractive option for forward-thinking agricultural enterprises in Turkey.

At Baykar Farm, our organic certification has not only opened new market opportunities but has also aligned our production with our core values of environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture.