Agriculture, Greenhouse and Food Law

The Regulation on the Protection and Use of Agricultural Land was published and entered into force. Applications concerning land class, agricultural structures and non-agricultural use should be assessed under the new text. A later transitional regulation published by the Ministry brings applications made before the entry into force under the former regulation; for this reason the date of application is preserved separately.

Legal basis: Agricultural land regulation (April 4, 2026) · Land regulation transitional amendment

According to the Ministry’s announcement, the B-Prescription began nationwide after the pilot implementation. Producer registration, the sale of plant protection products and application records are reviewed together. The scope of the prescription for risky active substances and of the producer record book for risky products is determined separately; the same obligation is not assumed for all products.

Legal basis: Nationwide B-Prescription announcement

The Ministry’s provincial directorate announcement states these dates as the ordinary application period for the 2027 production year. Changes to land and product, initial applications and renewals are checked separately. Later announcements and exceptions specific to the file are also followed separately.

Legal basis: 2027 production year ÇKS announcement

The amendment the Ministry announced in December 2025 updated the rules on notification periods, the definition of insurance and certain types of production. Old contract templates should not be used unchanged. The provisions of the Agriculture Law on insurance, contractual penalties and mediation as a condition precedent to litigation should also be read together with the contract.

Legal basis: Agriculture Law No. 5488 · Contract production regulation amendment

The mandatory requirement covers food sales and mass catering establishments. The business’s QR code is displayed where the consumer can see it. The QR code is not a document showing that the product is organic or that all safety conditions are met; registration, approval and product obligations continue separately.

Legal basis: Law No. 5996 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed · Announcement on QR codes in food businesses

Coverage of the greenhouse, crop and equipment, as well as loss notification and the second assessment process, are checked through the policy. They apply together with the general conditions, the tariff and the instructions. The documents appropriate to the insurance period and the date of the loss should be used as the basis.

Legal basis: TARSİM 2026 Greenhouse General Conditions

Forming the contract before production begins

The type of product, the planting or cultivation plan, quantity, quality criterion, place and schedule of delivery, determination of the price, advance payment and input support are regulated together. The model contract of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı) that fits the activity, and the registration obligations, are checked. Before looking at the name of the contract, the obligations the parties actually undertake are determined.

Production risk and withdrawal from the contract

Provisions on force majeure, loss of yield, rejection of the product, refusal to buy or sell, and contractual penalties are reviewed within their statutory limits. The insurance obligation under Law No. 5488 is addressed separately; it is not assumed that every risk is covered by the same policy. The current rules, including the 2025 amendments, are checked according to the date of the contract.

Price, advance payment and purchase commitments

We clarify the terms of a fixed price, a price formula, advance payment, in-kind input support and set-off. How product classification affects the price, the limit of the purchase commitment and shrinkage calculations are determined in the contract. A documentation and evidence system is set up for unilateral price changes, unclear deductions and quality objections raised after delivery.

Legal basis: Agriculture Law No. 5488 · Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations · Contract production regulations and model contracts

Reviewing the right of use

The title deed, co-ownership in shares, usufruct or other rights in rem, the lessor’s authority and restrictions on the land are assessed. The rules on the protection of agricultural land and on non-agricultural use are reviewed separately for the features of a greenhouse, storage area, packaging area or ancillary facility. Building a greenhouse is not treated as exempt from permits in every case.

Regulating rent and investment costs

The term of use, the nature of the produce lease, irrigation and energy costs, maintenance, existing crops, ownership of structures and equipment, and the terms of early termination and eviction are clarified. The position of removable equipment compared with investment attached to the land at the end of the lease, and claims for expenses, are shown separately in the contract.

Investment permits and operating infrastructure

For a greenhouse or agricultural facility investment, we research, for the specific location and activity, whether an agricultural land use permit, building and workplace procedures, and water and energy connections are required. Soilless production, geothermal heating or the addition of a packaging facility may give rise to different permit needs. It is not assumed that one record or an opinion of an authority takes the place of other permits.

Uncultivated land and disputes over use

We assess the position of owners, co-owners and tenants in the processes of identifying uncultivated agricultural land, announcing it and leasing it for agricultural purposes. Whether the land is actually within the scope, actual production records and local announcements are reviewed. Leasing, payment of the rental income to the rightful holder and the end of use are addressed separately from a transfer of ownership.

Legal basis: Law No. 5403 on Soil Conservation and Land Use · Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations · Agricultural land regulation (April 4, 2026) · Announcement on uncultivated agricultural land (2026)

Legal preparation of the investment

The consistency of the contracts on land acquisition, greenhouse construction, automation, heating, irrigation and operating services is reviewed. Delivery, acceptance, warranty, delay and performance criteria are written into the contract together with the data of the technical specialists. A legal review does not replace an engineering calculation or a technical conformity report.

Joint ventures and continuity of the operation

Revenue sharing between the investor and the operator, financing, security, management authority and exit conditions are determined. The structure of the cooperative or company, the responsibilities of its members and the effect of transferring the operation on the contracts are assessed. The conditions for benefiting from support or incentives are reviewed separately according to the current rules of the relevant program.

Support, grants and investment commitments

In agricultural support, TKDK/IPARD and other investment programs, we review the application conditions and the post-acceptance commitments from a legal standpoint. The implementation of the project, the procurement arrangements, notice of changes and repayment claims are assessed with the current call documents of the relevant program. The preparation of an application, or its appearing suitable, does not mean that support will be allocated.

Production management and advisory contracts

We define duties and responsibilities in the relationship with an agricultural adviser, technical operator, maintenance company or production manager. The yield commitment and the duty of care, advice and authority to implement, and data sharing are written separately. In cases of deficient service, faulty implementation or loss of information, the link between the contract, the technical report and the loss is examined.

Legal basis: Agriculture Law No. 5488 · Law No. 5403 on Soil Conservation and Land Use · Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations

Protecting delivery and the price of the product

In purchase, sale, commission, storage and transport relationships, the delivery, acceptance, weighing and quality control of the product, and the document by which payment will be proved, are regulated. If there is a cold chain or storage failure, the chain of responsibility is examined. Notice obligations in commercial sales are separated from consumer transactions.

Defective inputs and product loss

Where loss is alleged to arise from seed, seedlings, fertilizer, a plant protection product or equipment, the source of the product, the conditions of application and the cause of the loss are investigated. The batch number, label, usage record, analysis and expert examination are placed in an evidence system. If spoilage of the harvest or product could destroy the evidence, timely preservation of evidence is considered.

Product price, defects and collection of receivables

In claims of an unpaid product price, unjustified deductions, non-delivery or defective inputs, we review the contract and the commercial records. The debtor, the basis of the receivable, the due date and the security are determined. The options of formal notice (ihtar), mediation, enforcement proceedings or a lawsuit are assessed taking into account the type of relationship, the mandatory application rules and the prospects of collection.

Legal basis: Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations

Production planning, ÇKS and greenhouse records

We match the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS) and the other production records that fit the activity with the declared land, product and operator information. The place of applications such as the Registration System for Protected Plant Production in the greenhouse file is assessed. Production planning, support conditions and registration calendars are not treated as the same process; they are followed by season and product.

Plant protection products and the B-Prescription

We assess how the registration, supply, prescription and application record of a plant protection product relate to the production process. The obligations under the B-Prescription are checked separately for the product and the applicator. In disputes between the pre-harvest waiting period, a residue finding and the buyer’s specification, legal support is provided to preserve the records and determine responsibility.

Organic farming and good agricultural practices

We review the contracts, controls, certificates and traceability documents on which claims about organic products and good agricultural practices rest. Organic production and good agricultural practices are separate systems; a document for one does not by itself provide the other. The scope and validity of the certificate, its suspension or cancellation, and the consequences for marketing the product are assessed together.

Legal basis: Organic Agriculture Law No. 5262 · Nationwide B-Prescription announcement · 2027 production year ÇKS announcement · Agricultural production planning guide (2026)

Hal transactions and the product ID (künye)

In the trade in vegetables and fruits, we assess the scope of Law No. 5957 and the hal registration and notification obligations according to the type of transaction. The relationship between the producer, merchant and commission agent is reviewed together with the product ID, deductions, settlement of accounts and delivery documents. The hal arbitration board route and other application options are determined by the nature of the dispute and the current monetary threshold.

Cold chain, storage and transport

For perishable products, we examine responsibility for transport, storage, packaging and delivery along the chain of contracts. Temperature records, vehicle and warehouse movements, the condition of the packaging and reservations made at delivery are assessed as evidence. At which stage the loss arose, and the claim to be directed against the carrier, the warehouse keeper or the insurer, are determined separately.

Export of agricultural products and food

In an export contract, we assess the quality standard, residue limit, documents, delivery and payment responsibility. Conformity procedures in Türkiye and the import conditions of the destination country may differ. In the case of rejection at the border, waiting, destruction or return, documents and applications are coordinated with the buyer, carrier, insurer and the relevant specialists.

Distribution, branded products and contract manufacturing

In contract food manufacturing, private-label products, dealership and distribution relationships, we align the production standard with commercial responsibility. The confidentiality of the formula and production information, packaging approval, use of the brand and the end of supply are regulated. In case of a nonconforming product, the sharing of records, recall costs and the conditions of recourse between the parties are determined.

Legal basis: Law No. 5996 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed · Law No. 5957 (trade in fruits and vegetables) · Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations

Determining the business’s responsibilities

The responsibility of the food business operator in the stages of production, processing, storage, distribution and sale is determined according to the specific activity. The need for registration or approval, hygiene, traceability, labeling and informing the consumer are examined together. Handing the work over to another business by contract is not regarded as transferring the statutory responsibilities in full.

Legal coordination when a risk emerges

In case of a suspicion of unsafe food, a nonconforming analysis or a consumer complaint, distribution and stock records are assessed batch by batch. Withdrawal from the market, recall where necessary, notification to the competent authority and the obligations to communicate with commercial parties are determined. The technical assessment of the food risk is carried out with the relevant specialists, and the legal process on the basis of the necessary documents.

Label, allergen and consumer information

We review the product label, declaration of contents, allergen information, date marking, origin and promotional statements together with the regulations the product is subject to. Information obligations for internet sales, menus and packaging are also covered. Whether a nutrition or health claim may be used is assessed by product and by claim; misleading assurance statements are removed.

Imitation, adulteration and product liability

In files linked to the detection of imitation or adulteration, public announcements, product safety and consumer losses, we review the procedures and evidence. The conditions for administrative sanctions, private-law compensation and a possible criminal investigation are separated. The roles of the producer, importer, distributor and seller are determined with specific records, and a defense and application plan is prepared.

Legal basis: Law No. 5996 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed

Preparing for applications and inspections

Depending on the type of activity, agricultural records, food business registration/approval procedures and permits relating to the facility and land use are screened. A plan is prepared for keeping the records that may be requested at an inspection, the authority of the responsible persons and the steps to remedy deficiencies. Having only a tax or trade registry record does not mean that all activity permits have been obtained.

Report, sample and application against the decision

The inspection report, the sampling method, the analysis result, the request for a defense statement and the basis of the sanction are examined. The application routes for seizure of the product, suspension of the activity, administrative fines and other measures are determined separately. Because the competent authority and time limit may vary with the type of decision, a single objection period is not applied to all measures.

Legal basis: Law No. 5403 on Soil Conservation and Land Use · Law No. 5996 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK)

Coverage and the insured asset

The policy year, the registration of the product or greenhouse asset, the scope of coverage, exclusions, deductibles, coinsurance and the sum insured are checked. It is not assumed that the greenhouse construction, cover, technical equipment and product are insured under the same scope. State-supported agricultural insurance and other production insurance are assessed separately.

Notification, appraisal and compensation disputes

The loss notification date, how the risk materialized, maintenance and record-keeping obligations, and the appraiser’s findings are examined. The grounds for rejection or partial payment are compared with the policy and the general conditions. The options of objection, lawsuit or arbitration are assessed with regard to the policy, the parties and the conditions for applying to arbitration; a single notification period or an automatic arbitration route is not accepted for all agricultural insurance.

Disaster, loss of yield and force majeure

We examine the effect of hail, flood, storm, frost, disease or a water cut on the contract and on liability. Not every production loss automatically ends the obligation. The options of adjustment, termination or compensation are determined by assessing, with technical data, the foreseeability of the event, the duty to take precautions, notification, the possibility of performance and the conduct to reduce the loss.

Legal basis: Agricultural Insurance Law No. 5363 · Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations · TARSİM

Employee and contractor relationships

The legal nature of the relationship with seasonal workers, labor intermediaries, subcontracting employers (alt işveren) or service providers is determined. Occupational health and safety, working conditions, wages and social security obligations are addressed together with the features of the activity and the workplace. It is not assumed that the same scope of labor law applies to every workplace in agricultural work.

Waste, water and neighbor relationships

The permits and obligations required for waste, packaging, fertilization, water use, discharge and effects on neighboring properties are examined. Administrative inspection is separated from private-law claims for loss. For a product that is exported, if the food and plant health requirements of the destination country are relevant, they are assessed separately with local advisers and technical specialists.

Legal basis: Labor Law No. 4857 · Environment Law No. 2872

Choosing the correct route of application

In actions arising from an agricultural production contract, the rule under Law No. 5488 that mediation is a condition precedent to litigation is checked. Other lease, commercial receivable or consumer disputes are assessed according to their own conditions precedent to litigation. Administrative inspection decisions cannot be removed through this contractual mediation route.

Preparing the evidence and the claim

The need for preservation of evidence is assessed before the product spoils, the harvest, removal or a change to the facility. Claims for price, loss, contractual penalty, termination or annulment of an administrative act are separated according to their bases. The conditions for interim measures and a stay of execution are examined separately; making an application does not mean that the act stops by itself.

Legal basis: Agriculture Law No. 5488 · Law No. 6098, Turkish Code of Obligations · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK) · Code of Civil Procedure No. 6100 (HMK)