According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the average pesticide use in Turkey is about 2.3 kilograms per hectare. At first glance, calculated over the total cultivated area nationwide, this figure may seem “normal” on a global scale. Yet this is only a broad snapshot: when we consider the geographical concentration of agricultural production, the picture changes dramatically from region to region.
Intensive Farming Regions: Top 10 Provinces
Antalya, Mersin, Adana, İzmir, Aydın, Manisa, Bursa, Hatay, Muğla and Konya are Turkey’s leading provinces in terms of large-scale commercial agriculture and, likewise, pesticide use. Taken together, these ten provinces consume an average of 4.5 kg/ha, almost twice the national average.
Konya, however, despite having the largest cultivated area in the country, primarily grows rain-fed cereals and therefore requires less pesticide. If Konya is excluded, the average pesticide use across the remaining nine provinces rises to around 9 kg/ha.
Especially in greenhouse hubs such as Antalya and Mersin, the intensity of fresh fruit and vegetable production for export and the desire for standardized, blemish-free produce significantly increase the need for frequent and regular spraying.
Comparison with the World and Europe
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global average for pesticide use is about 2.7 kg/ha. The European Union average stands at 3–4 kg/ha, but in some countries with heavy greenhouse cultivation—such as the Netherlands and Italy—this amount can reach 8–12 kg/ha.
Thus, while Turkey’s national average is close to both global and EU levels, the figure of 9 kg/ha recorded in the top nine provinces (excluding Konya) is comparable to Europe’s highest pesticide-using regions. The greenhouse concentration along the Antalya–Mersin corridor can be likened to that of the Netherlands’ key greenhouse areas.
Export Perspective: EU Limits and MRL (Maximum Residue Level)
High pesticide use has a critical dimension when it comes to exports. The European Union Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 defines Maximum Residue Levels (MRL)—the highest permitted residues of pesticides in food products. Each pesticide–crop combination has its own limit expressed in milligrams per kilogram, and these limits can be as low as 0.01 mg/kg. For any pesticide not authorized in the EU, this lowest default limit automatically applies.
Through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), products exceeding these limits are blocked at EU borders, refused entry, returned, or destroyed.
Some active substances that are still registered in Turkey remain banned or strictly restricted in the EU. For example:
- Chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl, banned in the EU due to risks to the nervous system,
- Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, discontinued in the EU because of harm to bee populations,
have long remained licensed in Turkey and have occasionally been detected as residues in exported products.
Similarly, the fungicide prochloraz—considered unapproved for many crops in Europe—has been the subject of RASFF notifications for goods shipped from Turkey. Detection of such residues poses a serious economic and reputational risk for producers exporting to the EU market.
Reasons for High Usage
The regional gap in pesticide use in Turkey stems from several key factors:
- Type of production: Cereal production (for example in Konya) generally requires far less pesticide, whereas greenhouse and high-value fruit and vegetable cultivation demand intensive spraying.
- Climate: The warm, humid conditions of the Mediterranean climate increase pest and disease pressure.
- Market expectations: Especially in export markets, the demand for perfectly shaped, visually flawless produce pushes growers toward more frequent chemical treatments.
Conclusion: Strategic Management Is Essential for Exports and Food Safety
Overall, Turkey’s national pesticide use aligns with the global average. However, in the intensive agricultural regions of the Mediterranean and Aegean, the 9 kg/ha figure is on par with the highest levels in Europe.
This reality calls for rigorous management, not only to meet the EU’s strict MRL limits but also for domestic food safety and ecosystem health.
Adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), expanding biological control methods, and conducting regular residue testing are no longer optional but mandatory for Turkey to maintain its export competitiveness and ensure food security.
References
- Ziraat Mühendisliği Dergisi – Provincial distribution of pesticide use (2020)
- Gıda Hattı – The ten provinces in Turkey with the highest pesticide use
- FAO – Global pesticide use data
- European Commission – Maximum Residue Levels (EC No 396/2005)
- RASFF – Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
- Boell Stiftung Turkey – Pesticide Atlas and banned substances
