The European seed potato sector, renowned for its rigorous production standards and high-quality certified planting material, is confronting a significant and growing trade barrier with one of its key markets: Türkiye. As the fourth-largest destination for EU-grown seed potatoes, the Turkish market is vital for many European exporters. However, data from Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, reveals a sharp and alarming increase in rejection rates by Turkish authorities upon arrival, jeopardizing the stability and future of this trade relationship.
The scale of the problem is substantial. Last year, member companies of Europatat reported rejection rates of up to 50% of their total shipments to Türkiye. The 2024 spring export season has been even more severe, with rejection rates for some exporting countries reaching 35% of their total national exports to the market. These rejections are based on sampling and testing conducted by Turkish authorities, who have cited the presence of specific pests. However, the situation is marked by perplexing inconsistencies. In a telling case, two separate consignments from the same production lot were treated differently: one was accepted while the other was rejected. Furthermore, the specific pests identified have varied year-on-year and have, in past instances, included organisms not known to be present in the exporting country of origin.
This points to a deeper issue beyond plant health. While all parties agree on the necessity of strict phytosanitary controls, the problem appears to be twofold:
- Inconsistent Application of Testing: The variability in test results on identical material suggests a potential lack of standardization or alignment in laboratory protocols between the EU and Turkish inspection authorities. This inconsistency creates immense commercial uncertainty for exporters.
- Divergence in Classification Nomenclature: A long-standing issue complicating trade is the difference in the naming and classification of seed potato classes (e.g., pre-basic, basic). Restrictions appear to stem, in part, from these administrative discrepancies rather than from genuine phytosanitary risks.
The financial impact is direct and severe. Each rejected shipment represents a total loss for the exporter, including the cost of production, shipping, and certification. In response, a strategic shift is already underway. To mitigate these risks, many Europatat members are now diverting their exports to alternative markets, a trend that is likely to accelerate in the coming season if confidence is not restored. This redirects high-quality genetic material away from Turkish farmers, potentially impacting their productivity and access to improved varieties.
The rising and inconsistent rejection of EU seed potatoes at the Turkish border is evolving from a trade irritant into a full-blown market access barrier. It undermines the predictable and science-based trading environment required for agricultural commerce. The solution, as advocated by Europatat, hinges on enhanced technical cooperation. Turkish authorities must collaborate closely with the National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) of exporting EU member states to align testing methodologies, harmonize interpretations of results, and clarify nomenclature issues. Without such a good-faith, science-driven effort to rebuild trust, European exporters will continue to withdraw from the Turkish market, ultimately to the detriment of both Turkish farmers and the bilateral agricultural trade relationship. The dialogue initiated must now translate into concrete, transparent, and consistent procedures to ensure a viable future for this trade.
