Antalya Chamber of Flower Growers Chairman Alim Uysal: “Flower production is not regarded as a part of the agricultural production and the growers are not supported by government programs. This industry is ignored by both industrial and agricultural policies and stuck in between.
The production areas in Antalya are already decreasing in size but still Antalya is the city where the most of the cut flower production in Turkey occurs. Almost all the exports also come from the Antalya region therefore growers need to be supported to improve our export figures in this product category.
A lot of people earn their livelihood through flowers, such as growers, their suppliers, and florists. Because of the declining production areas, it is also becoming more difficult to find enough products for local florists especially on special days thus the prices increase and florists are unfairly labeled as opportunists trying to benefit from special days even though they are working with the same margins on special occasions as they do on other days.
Another important problem in the industry is the VAT. VAT for flowers and plants is 18 % even though it is only 1 % for other fresh produce. We believe that VAT for flowers and plants should be lowered to 8% which will energize the market and lower the end prices for consumers.”
Source: Antalya Ekspress