Once relegated to a minor role in Anatolian cuisine, the potato has become a strategically important staple crop in Turkish agriculture in recent decades. Behind this transformation lies a story of regional innovation, global demand, and the country's efforts to balance domestic priorities with its international ambitions.
The potato is not native to Turkey. It was introduced from Europe to the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century, likely via the Balkans. It wasn't until well into the Republican era, in the mid-20th century, that the crop gained widespread acceptance among Turkish farmers and consumers. Potato cultivation began in earnest in the 60s, particularly in Central Anatolia. The city of Niğde, nestled among volcanic hills and boasting a favorable climate for root crops, became an early production center. Along with Nevşehir and Afyonkarahisar, these regions comprise what is now known as Turkey's most important growing region.
Demand and development
Turkey's growing urban population and increasing integration into global food trends led to a rising demand for potato products, particularly in the fast-food and hospitality sectors. In the 80s and 90s, a growing number of Western-style restaurants and franchises emerged in major Turkish cities, creating a steady demand for processed potato products, particularly French fries. This era marked the beginning of the industrialization of the potato sector. The Turkish government, seeking to modernize agriculture and reduce its dependence on imports, provided subsidies for mechanization, storage infrastructure, and the development of local seed potatoes.
Private agribusiness companies like Özgür Tarım, Gübretaş, and Patates A.Ş. invested heavily in processing plants, focusing on both the domestic and export markets. Multinational food giants, including McCain and Lamb Weston, recognized Turkey's advantages: a favorable climate, low production costs, and a strategic location between Europe and the Middle East. These companies began sourcing Turkish potatoes or partnering with local processors.
French fries market
Over the past decade, Turkey has quietly become a major player in the frozen French fry export market. According to TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute), French fry exports have grown by more than 2015% annually since 12, with the majority going to neighboring countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are among the largest importers.
Several factors have contributed to this growth. First, the logistical advantage of proximity and competitive freight rates have enabled Turkish producers to compete with European suppliers in regional markets. Second, increasing regional instability and food security concerns in countries like Syria, Lebanon, and Libya have made Turkey a reliable partner. Domestic companies like Kadooğlu and Penguen Gıda have expanded their facilities to meet the rising demand, while others have focused on niche markets.
The Russian need for fries
One destination has rapidly risen to the top in recent years: Russia. After the invasion of Ukraine, the country found itself in an increasingly difficult position when it came to sourcing fries and other potato products. Turkey not only began to act as a mediator between Russia and the West but also quickly became a major supplier of fries. In the second half of 2022, fries exports to Russia grew strongly, making it the best-performing season so far.
During the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons, exports declined slightly again, from almost 90.000 tons in 2022/23 to 74.000 tons in 2024/25. Russia remains Turkey's largest buyer, and the current export level is 8% higher than a year ago. The peak of more than 60.000 tons in the 22/23 season will no longer be reached. Russia's import figures are far from complete, but available data show that the Netherlands, France, and Germany have made a comeback, which explains the lower demand for Turkish fries.
Year-round cultivation
Turkey's strengths lie in its cultivation advantages and infrastructure. The country's diverse climate zones allow for multiple growing seasons and year-round supply. Central Anatolia offers high yields in spring and early summer, while the eastern and southern regions can produce during the autumn and winter months. Moreover, relatively low labor costs, government subsidies, and growing investment in refrigerated logistics have strengthened Turkey's competitiveness. The construction of modern factories with European machinery has boosted Turkey's competitiveness. This enables Turkish manufacturers to meet the quality expectations of international buyers.
The government has supported the sector with initiatives aimed at self-sufficiency in seed potatoes. Starting in 2024, more than 90% of the seed potatoes used in Turkey will be produced domestically, reducing dependence on imports from the Netherlands and Germany. Despite this, exports of Dutch seed potatoes have steadily increased over the past 10 years, but with ups and downs. 2022 was a record year with over 23.000 tons of seed potatoes exported, a level that dropped to 20.000 tons in the following two years.
Climate change
Despite these advantages, the Turkish potato sector faces several challenges. The most significant is its vulnerability to climate variability. Droughts are becoming more frequent in Central Anatolia, impacting yields and water availability. In 2021 and 2023, severe droughts led to significant production declines and price increases on the domestic market.
Another challenge is the fragmented nature of the agricultural sector. Many family farms are very small, which limits economies of scale and complicates collaboration with industrial processors. Contract farming is still in its infancy, and disputes over price and quality are common. Moreover, the sector is under pressure from inconsistent government policies. While export bans on potatoes, implemented to control domestic inflation, have protected local consumers, they have undermined investor confidence in the processing and export sector. A ban on potato exports to Iraq in 2022 was particularly controversial and led to surpluses and waste in some regions.
Looking ahead, the Turkish potato industry is poised for further growth, particularly in the export of French fries. The government's 12th five-year plan includes support for value-added agriculture, and several regional development agencies have allocated funds for cold storage and exports. Regional demand for French fries is also expected to rise, driven by a young, urbanizing population in the Middle East and North Africa. Turkish companies are seeking to capitalize on this. Success depends on, among other things, overcoming domestic bottlenecks, the climate, and better integration between farmers and processors. These factors are essential for maintaining the Turkish sector in a volatile region.
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The Turkish potato sector, once a modest component of the agricultural economy, is now a dynamic sector with international influence. Its emergence as a medium-sized exporter of French fries reflects shifts in global demand and growing processing capacity. To continue this trend, it is necessary to balance the needs of domestic consumers with the ambitions of a sector increasingly focused on the international market.