What is the Turkish Organic Agriculture Regulation?

Published by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the "Regulation on the Principles and Application of Organic Agriculture" is the official national legislation that all operators wishing to produce, process, package, import, or market organic agricultural products, food, and feed within Turkey's borders must follow. The primary objective of this regulation is to protect the ecological balance of nature, maintain soil and water vitality, support biodiversity, and provide consumers with transparently audited, reliable products. For a product to bear the terms "organic" or "ecological" in Turkey, it is a legal requirement that it be produced in accordance with this regulation and certified by bodies authorized by the Ministry.

Key Technical Criteria of the TR Organic Regulation

The regulation sets strict rules across the supply chain, from farm to fork. The technical framework of this legal structure can be summarized as follows:

• Transition Period (Conversion):

  • When switching from conventional to organic farming, a "transition period" is mandatory to cleanse the land. This period typically ranges from 2 to 3 years, depending on the type of crop (annual crops, pastures, or perennial fruit trees). Products harvested during this time are marketed as "in-conversion" products, not "organic."

• Input Control and Prohibitions:

  • Synthetic chemical fertilizers, synthetic plant protection products (pesticides), hormones, and weed killers (herbicides) are strictly prohibited during production. Only natural inputs listed in the regulation's annexes are permitted.

  • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and ionizing radiation cannot be used at any stage, from seed to final product.

• Traceability and Labeling:

  • Products that are certified according to the regulation and contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients by weight must feature the official "Organic Agriculture - Republic of Turkey" logo on their packaging.

  • Organic products must not be mixed with conventional products during harvesting, transportation, storage, or processing. All processes must be retroactively traceable through invoices, producer receipts, and certificates.

Why Choose TR Organic Certification with ETKO?

If you want to grow organic products or process them for the Turkish market, complying with national regulations is a legal obligation. ETKO is one of Turkey's first and most established certification bodies, officially authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the inspection and certification of organic agriculture (under the authorization code TR-OT-04). Working with ETKO's expert agricultural engineers and auditors ensures your full compliance with legal requirements, allowing you to confidently display the Turkish Organic Agriculture logo on your products and build transparent trust with consumers in the domestic market.