"The total import capacity of the European Union, Gulf countries, and Turkic Republics, which are among the most important consumption centers of ornamental plants in the world, is over $20 billion. Türkiye's share of these markets, which are the country's closest neighbors and can be reached by short-haul flights, is only 0.4%. These figures show us that there is great growth potential for our exports and that we can increase these trade volumes several times over, even in the short term, with the right strategies", says Mr. İsmail Yilmaz, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association.
20% growth expected
Global trade volumes in ornamental plants are over $50 billion, and a total of $28 billion worth of ornamental plants are exported. Türkiye currently ranks 19th amongst the world's ornamental plant exporters, and the Turkish Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association expects ornamental exports to increase by 20% in 2023 to $180 million.
"The ornamental plants sector in Türkiye is open to development and has an important place in the country's economy given the high employment and added value it creates. "In 2022, Türkiye's total exports of ornamental plants reached $137 million. Exports now offer great development potential, especially in outdoor plants, with an increase in export sales driven by foreign landscaping projects, and this is expected to continue in the coming years."
Challenges
According to Mr. İsmail Yilmaz, the most important problem of the sector is the lack of production area (e.g., land). "37% of the producers and exporters operate on lands which they do not own, 83% of them on lands which are rented from private individuals, and only 7% of them on lands which are rented from the public. Appropriate treasury/public lands should be leased to the producers and exporters of the sector on a priority and long-term basis. The expectation of the sector for organized agricultural zones continues, and solving this problem is of vital importance for the rapid growth of the sector and the exponential increase in our exports."
Landscape Istanbul Fair
The Landscape Istanbul Fair (LIF) will take place from November 16 up until 18, and according to Mr. İsmail Yilmaz, it is an important platform that brings together the ornamental plants industry in Türkiye. "It enables companies to open up to the outside and brings them together with buyers. It is very important to organize such events for the development of the sector."
For more information
Turkish Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association
www.susbitkileri.org.tr