Sunflower Seed Monthly Update (Turkiye) 2025-11

Keşan Chamber of Agriculture President Hasan Şen reported that recent heavy snow and rain have significantly improved soil moisture levels, boosting optimism among local producers after two years of drought-induced losses. Sunflower yields had dropped to as low as 50-60 kilograms per decare during the drought, causing financial strain despite high input costs. The current rainfall has saturated the soil, delaying fertilization and sowing activities, which are now expected to commence by late March if weather conditions improve. Şen emphasized the importance of timely fertilization and field inspections to prevent moisture-related diseases and weed growth, aiming for a more productive 2026 agricultural season.

Tarım Kredi Marketler, originally established in 2017 to deliver farmer-produced goods directly to consumers and stabilize food prices, has significantly deviated from its founding mission. The share of products purchased directly from farmers has sharply declined, with 2023 data showing only a 17% increase in fruit and vegetable purchases but steep decreases in key crops such as rice (-31%), sunflower (-68%), barley (-58%), durum wheat (-50%), and feed wheat (-97%). The growing reliance on intermediary companies has altered the supply model, reducing benefits for both farmers and consumers. Additionally, the suspension of activity report publications since 2024 obscures transparency regarding product sourcing and cooperative financial health. This shift has led to increased operational losses and a structure that disproportionately burdens farmers, undermining the market’s initial goal of eliminating intermediaries in the agri-food supply chain.

In 2025, the Denizli Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry provided extensive support to sustain plant production, totaling approximately 1.15 billion TL. This included 470 million TL in compensation for agricultural frost damage affecting nearly 11,000 producers and 687 million TL in direct cash payments to farmers. Seed and sapling distribution supported sowing on over 10,800 decares, with strategic crops like chickpeas, beans, sunflower, and sesame, alongside 31,400 walnut saplings to boost fruit production. Environmentally friendly pest control methods were applied over 8,675 decares, complemented by integrated pest management on more than 15,000 decares, supported by 27 early warning stations. Food safety was reinforced through 1,501 inspections and pesticide analyses on 893 samples, leading to administrative actions against 127 violators. Additionally, Denizli contributed to exports with certificates issued for 76 tons of seed and over 626,000 saplings, underscoring ongoing efforts to support agricultural productivity into 2026.

Heavy rainfall in Aydın province submerged approximately 155,000 decares of agricultural land, severely impacting producers, particularly in the Söke Plain where over 60,000 decares of mostly wheat fields were flooded. The Agricultural Chambers Provincial Coordination Board convened an extraordinary meeting with all 16 chamber presidents to address the crisis and called for the province to be declared a disaster zone. The floods have disrupted crop patterns, with expectations of increased sunflower cultivation and decreased cotton production due to prior drought conditions. The disaster zone declaration is sought to enable postponement of producers' credit debts and activate support mechanisms, aiming to provide urgent relief and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production in the region.

In 2025, Denizli's Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry significantly enhanced plant production by providing over 1.15 billion TL in support payments, including 470 million TL for frost damage compensation to nearly 11,000 producers. The region distributed substantial seed inputs, such as chickpeas, beans, sunflower, sesame, and 31,400 walnut saplings, enabling sowing across more than 10,800 decares. Environmentally friendly pest control methods were implemented on over 8,600 decares, supported by 27 early warning stations and Integrated Pest Management on 15,000 decares to ensure safe and reliable food production. Rigorous inspections of plant protection and fertilizer dealers safeguarded public health, while export certificates for seeds and seedlings helped extend Denizli's agricultural value to international markets. These efforts underscore Denizli's commitment to sustainable, modern agriculture and farmer support throughout 2025.

In 2025, Denizli's agriculture sector experienced significant growth supported by extensive financial aid and sustainable practices. The Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry provided a record 1.158 billion TL in support for plant production, including 470.8 million TL for frost damage compensation to nearly 11,000 producers. Input distributions such as chickpeas, beans, sunflower, sesame seeds, and 31,400 walnut saplings enhanced crop and fruit production across thousands of decares. Environmentally friendly initiatives reduced chemical pesticide use through biological control on 8,675 decares and Integrated Pest Management on over 15,000 decares, supported by 27 early warning stations. Rigorous inspections ensured food safety with 1,501 checks on dealers and pesticide analyses on 893 samples, resulting in administrative actions against 127 non-compliant businesses. Denizli also boosted its agricultural exports with certificates issued for 76 tons of seed and over 626,000 seedlings, reinforcing its role in both domestic and international markets.

For the 2026 production season in Konya, farmers planting wheat will receive approximately 1,500 TL per decare in combined basic, water restriction, and certified seed support, with similar support allocated for other strategic low-water crops like oilseed sunflower, dry beans, chickpea, lentil, and dry onion. Due to water restrictions affecting 19 districts in Konya, high water-consuming crops such as sugar beet, corn, potato, carrot, and tomato are banned from consecutive planting, and no support will be provided for potato and grain corn in 2026 even if crop rotation rules are followed. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry enforces a strict compliance system where non-adherence to crop rotation results in yellow and red card warnings, potentially leading to loss of all agricultural support. Support is calculated on an island and parcel basis, requiring farmers to verify the previous crop history of rented lands to ensure eligibility. Emphasizing the importance of strategic crop planning amid rising input costs, officials highlighted oilseed sunflower as a key low-water crop that could be promoted through price announcements to guide farmer planting decisions.

Keşan's 2026 agricultural data reveals a decline in the number of registered farmers, dropping from 4,183 in 2025 to 4,140 in 2026, alongside an increase in the average farmer age from 59 to 60. The total arable land stands at 542,724 decares, with only 105,697 decares being irrigable. Wheat remains the dominant crop with 210,000 decares cultivated, followed by sunflower at 190,000 decares and rice at 45,000 decares. The gender distribution shows 447 female and 3,641 male producers, highlighting demographic challenges in the region's agricultural sector.

Namık Kemal Oğuz, CHP Edirne MP candidate, highlights the severe financial difficulties faced by farmers in Edirne as they enter the 2026 planting season with empty pockets and depleted resources. He criticizes the government for suspending 2025 agricultural supports as of February 2026, leaving producers without critical funding during a crucial period. Oğuz points to consecutive years of drought, particularly impacting sunflower and wheat yields, forcing farmers to rely on credit and loans with high interest. Despite announced support of 634 TL for 2025, inflation has eroded over 45% of its value, and the new double list system has created uncertainty around payment schedules, complicating production planning. He calls for immediate, consolidated payments of supports aligned with the agricultural calendar to prevent further farmer indebtedness and abandonment of fields.

A recent reclassification of approximately 350 acres of irrigated farmland in Avcıpınar Mahallesi, Saimbeyli district of Adana, from productive agricultural land to 'marginal land' by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has sparked local opposition. The land, actively used for growing sunflowers, wheat, and barley with existing irrigation infrastructure, was initially deemed 60% suitable for agriculture before being fully categorized as unsuitable to facilitate a Solar Power Plant (GES) project. Local producers argue that this decision contradicts the Soil Protection and Land Use Act and threatens long-term regional agricultural production, particularly sunflower cultivation. Residents have petitioned the General Directorate of Agricultural Reforms demanding transparency on the technical criteria and field assessments behind the report. The dispute highlights tensions between agricultural land preservation and renewable energy investments in Turkey's agri-food sector.