Plant diplomacy between Türkiye and the Netherlands.
Experts from Türkiye and the Netherlands met in Türkiye in June 2023 for the latest bilateral meeting to discuss trade in plants including seed potatoes (small tubers used to produce potato plants).
After meetings in Ankara, field visits took place to Nigde, in the heartland for seed potatoes, and Adana and Mersin, on the southern coast. The meeting affirmed the excellent cooperation between NL and TR. Import and export regulations were discussed including market entrance for True Potato Seed, an innovative product for potato growers.
“More than 60% of seed potatoes in Türkiye come from the Netherlands”. This quote sums up the importance of good trade relations between NL and TR.
Contacts and meetings between phytosanitary experts (the people dealing with plants) from Türkiye and the Netherlands have intensified in the last years. From digital meetings during Covid to real life visits to NL in November 2021 and to TR in June 2023.
An extensive program was prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Meetings took place In Ankara at the General Directorate for Food and Control, the Ankara Plant Protection Central Research Institute and in Seed Registration and Certification Central Directorate. All these stakeholders are instrumental in the proces of market access, policy and research.
The following days visits took place to Nigde in Central Anatolia. The heartland of seed potato production in Türkiye. A visit took place to the research center of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
And of course a visit to the famous and quite unique natural storage caves was not missed.
Moving away from potatoes and to the more colourful world of pot plants, we visited Garden Koala, a production, trading and consumer market for a great range of pot plants, located in Adana.
Last stop was in Mersin, sitting on the southern coast. There a visit took place to the import/export and quarantine directorate of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. An important link in the chain for trade in plant products.
True Potato Seed
One of the issues on the agenda was market access of hybrid True Potato Seed. This is an innovative product slowly finding its way into commercial application around the world.
It is a different product from the seed potatoes and has several potential advantages. It can act as an alternative or complementary product to seed potatoes.
Discussions with the Turkish Ministry focused on the rules and regulations that would apply to hybrid TPS. Generally speaking the outcome is that the usual procedures need to be followed regarding registration, certification and background documentation and risk analysis.
Any more information on potatoes or the seed and plant sector can be found:
Potatoes: https://www.nao.nl/nl/
Seed sector and plants: https://plantum.nl/