In an exclusive interview with POTATOES NEWS, Palmira Agro CEO Omer Bilgin shared the company’s impressive journey from being a distributor of Russian biostimulants to becoming a renowned producer of innovative fertilizers, along with plans to enter the Russian market.
From Idea to Impact on Turkey’s Agricultural Sector
Palmira Agro was founded in 2005 with the mission of providing Turkish farmers with advanced agrochemical solutions. The company’s initial success came from introducing the Russian biostimulant “Albit,” quickly gaining local farmers’ trust. The product range later expanded with additions from Delta Bio and Ligna Humate.
Initially, Palmira focused on Western technologies but gradually shifted toward Eastern solutions, offering organo-mineral, microbial, and biostimulant products tailored to local agricultural conditions.
In-House Production and Reduced Logistics Costs
In 2024, the company opened its own plant for manufacturing microgranular fertilizers. This innovative approach significantly reduced the use of traditional mineral fertilizers (from 600 to 300 kg/ha diammonium phosphate) and logistics costs.
Microgranules deliver nutrients directly to seeds, improving early plant growth, reducing soil stress, and enhancing cost efficiency for farmers.
Integration into Alarko Holding and Greenhouse Expansion
Since 2023, Palmira Agro has been part of Turkey’s major holding, Alarko. Within this new structure, a large-scale project to build 1,000 hectares of greenhouses (500 ha in Turkey and 500 ha in Kazakhstan) for hydroponic vegetable production was initiated.
The company actively works on developing proprietary seed varieties and integrating Canadian sublimation technologies, enhancing export potential and closing the production cycle.
Solutions for Climate Change Resilience
Climate change and water scarcity represent the primary challenges in modern agriculture. Palmira collaborates with European and Russian partners to develop products mitigating climate-related stresses.
In 2025, in collaboration with the French company Seneffe, Palmira introduced three innovative products significantly reducing water consumption for various crops, including potatoes, tomatoes, and corn.
Farmer-Focused Customized Solutions
Unlike major fertilizer producers such as PhosAgro and EuroChem, Palmira Agro focuses on customized solutions for farmers. With its own R&D team, the company adapts products to specific crops and regional requirements.
Efficiency, product quality, and long-term farmer relationships are Palmira’s main priorities.
New Developments at Potato Day Turkey 2025
In August 2025, at Potato Day Turkey, Palmira will present over 80 new products, including microgranular fertilizers with microbiological components aimed at water conservation, stress resistance, and improved root nutrition.
Palmira Agro is actively transforming Turkey’s agricultural sector and expanding its capabilities to international markets, including Russia. Through innovation and a farmer-centric approach, the company is already building sustainable and efficient agriculture for the future.
