Savas Akcan, head of Turkey Seed Growers Association (TURKTOB) said that Turkey is a self-sufficient country in terms of saplings. He underlined that the country has actually become an exporter of saplings. Akcan explained: "Our export value which was almost non-existent in 2010, increased to 30 million USD (26,3 million Euro) in 2018. Our import value on the other hand was as high as 7,5 million USD (6,58 million Euro), and last year this value decreased to 2,3 million USD (2,02 million Euro)."
Akcan stated that there is a demand for saplings produced in Turkey and pointed out to the increase of export over the years between 2010 and 2018. In his written statement, he emphasized that Turkey is a self-sufficient country in terms of fruit saplings.
"Our country produces apple, cherry, pear, olive, plum and nectarine saplings among many other varieties and export these mainly to European and Central Asian countries. According to the Sapling Producers Sub-Association's data, there are 802 registered firms that produce 105,4 million saplings. In 2002, only 3,5 millions of saplings were produced and in 2016, this number increased to 69,4 million thanks to the support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In the last two years, this number reached beyond 100 million." said Akcan.
Stating that the ministry's financial support totaled 34,4 million Turkish Lira (5,73 million Euro), Akcan said: "This support eventually paid off. In the last three years, the revenue from saplings export totaled 64,4 million USD (56,5 million Euro). "
