The Importance of Modern Greenhouse Cultivation in the Face of the Climate Crisis
Agricultural production is facing numerous challenges. Until recently, if you asked farmers about their biggest concern, they would most likely cite production costs and high input prices. The climate crisis was rarely mentioned. Today, in addition to rising costs, many producers are increasingly drawing attention to climate-related problems.
Due to the climate crisis, issues such as drought, extreme heat, frost, hail, storms, and sudden weather changes are negatively affecting agricultural production—and, in turn, the food on our tables. Most importantly, these disruptions are contributing to rising food prices, confronting consumers with high levels of food inflation.
In the realm of fresh fruit and vegetable production, the significance of greenhouse cultivation as a safeguard against climate volatility is growing both in Türkiye and globally. Türkiye possesses substantial experience and potential in greenhouse farming and greenhouse technologies. This is clearly reflected every year at the GROWTECH. Fair held in Antalya.
According to data from the General Directorate of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye ranks fourth in the world and second in Europe—after Spain—in greenhouse cultivation. Over the past 20 years, the area under protected cultivation has increased by 42%, reaching 76,400 hectares. Of this, 50,400 hectares consist of greenhouse facilities, 1,500 hectares of which are classified as modern greenhouses. Approximately 81% of these protected farming operations use high systems such as glass, plastic, and high tunnels, while the remaining 19% rely on low tunnels to allow for earlier seasonal production.
Half of the 9 million tons produced in undercover farming is tomatoes
In 80 out of 81 provinces in Türkiye, undercover farming is practiced. Only Muş does not have undercover farming. Geothermal greenhouse farming is carried out in 27 provinces. 90% of undercover farming areas, are concentrated in Antalya, Mersin, Adana, Muğla, and İzmir.
A total of 9 million tons of vegetables and fruits are produced in undercover areas. Of this, 8 million tons are vegetables, and 1 million tons are fruits. In terms of provincial production, Antalya accounts for 50% of the total, followed by Mersin, Adana, Muğla, and Burdur.
Looking at the product distribution, tomatoes lead with 4.1 million tons, making up 51%. Cucumbers follow with 1.1 million tons, or 14%, bell peppers also with 1.1 million tons and 14%, watermelons with 668 thousand tons (8%), and eggplants with 371 thousand tons (5%). In fruits, 78% of the 1 million tons produced is bananas, with an annual production of 770 thousand tons. Strawberries account for 20%, with 223 thousand tons. Other fruits include table grapes, plums, apricots, blueberries, nectarines, and others.
Hydroponic farming is on the rise
With the transition to modern greenhouse practices, hydroponic farming techniques are also becoming increasingly widespread. According to data from the General Directorate of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 692 enterprises across 52 provinces in Türkiye are engaged in export-oriented production on 15,000 decares of land. Antalya hosts 19% of these hydroponic farming areas, followed by Afyonkarahisar with 15%, Mersin and İzmir each with 9%, and Manisa with 6%.
The expansion of hydroponic greenhouse farming has been significantly supported by the use of geothermal resources. Heating, one of the major costs in greenhouse production, becomes more efficient when powered by geothermal energy, giving producers a competitive edge. As geothermal heating gained prominence, modern greenhouses utilizing hydroponic techniques began spreading from the Mediterranean coastal regions to areas rich in geothermal resources across Türkiye.
Considering that Türkiye ranks seventh in the world and first in Europe for geothermal resources, it is expected that modern greenhouse farming and hydroponic agriculture will continue to expand. Currently, greenhouses in 27 provinces are heated using geothermal energy. These geothermal greenhouses are mostly concentrated in the Aegean, Central Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia regions, with Afyonkarahisar leading at the provincial level.
In regions abundant in geothermal energy, “Organized Agricultural Zones” dedicated to greenhouse production are being established to ensure both the efficient use of these resources and the effective marketing of the produce. Of the 21 organized agricultural zones based on crop production across the country, 14 are geothermal greenhouse zones.
The current state and future of greenhouse farming were discussed last February at the 2nd Greenhouse Investment Days, organized by the Greenhouse Construction Equipment and Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (SERKONDER) in Sandıklı, Afyonkarahisar.
An annual investment of $609 million is needed for 10,000 decares of greenhouse construction
One of the most striking points during the two-day meeting was the identified need for an additional 10,000 decares of greenhouse area annually. Ufuk Salih Uslu, Chairman of the Board of SERKONDER, provided a concise overview of the required greenhouse space and financing:
“High-tech greenhouses, 90% of which are geared toward exports, account for approximately 540,000 tons of production. Around 360,000 tons—roughly 15%—of the output from modern and farmer-type greenhouses is also exported. At present, our total greenhouse production comfortably reaches 8.5 million tons.
Considering a population growth rate of 1.2–1.5% annually and calculating vegetable consumption of produce grown in greenhouses per capita at 157 kilograms (even though the actual consumption is closer to 250 kg), we must produce an additional 90,000 tons of vegetables each year. This is also based on the assumption that our export volume increases by 10% annually.
To meet this demand, we need an additional 2,000 decares of industrial greenhouses and 8,000 decares of modern greenhouses each year—totalling 10,000 decares annually. And this is just to meet export demand.
As for domestic consumption, about 10% of high-tech greenhouse production serves the local market, yielding approximately 8,000 tons. Modern farmer-type greenhouses contribute an additional 18,800 tons. Yet, this still falls short of meeting the growing demand.
Existing greenhouses also require modernization, which could result in a 15% increase in efficiency. If that modernization leads to an additional 40,000 tons of production, we would achieve the needed 157,000-ton increase.
The industrial greenhouse requirement stands at 2,000 decares annually, with an estimated cost of $80 per square meter—translating to an annual financial need of $160 million. For modern farmer greenhouses, 8,000 decares would require $20 per square meter, totalling $500 million. Modernizing 1,700 decares at a cost of $3 per square meter adds another $51 million. Altogether, the total required annual investment comes to $609 million. If we can meet this investment, we will be able to satisfy both the growing population’s needs and the rising demand for exports.”
Bank loans are cheaper for greenhouse investments
Most greenhouses established in Türkiye are financed through government-supported loans and grants. During the 2nd Greenhouse Investment Days held in Sandıklı, Kemalettin Bayat, Head of Agricultural Banking at Ziraat Bank, provided the following insights into greenhouse loans:
“In 2024, we extended approximately 18 billion Turkish Lira in loans to around 16,000 clients operating in the greenhouse sector. These loans represent a significant portion of our total agricultural credit portfolio. The maximum loan limit for plant production in controlled environments is 100 million Turkish Liras. Both investment and operating loans start with a 50% interest subsidy. Moreover, if conditions such as rainwater harvesting, young or female farmers, or contract-based farming are met, the interest burden is fully covered by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance—meaning no interest cost remains for the producer.
Looking at the development of our greenhouse loan portfolio, we see that interest in this area has grown in line with the increasing significance of greenhouse agriculture. As climate change has had severe impacts on soil and water resources—thereby disrupting yield, supply, and demand—the strategic value of controlled-environment agriculture has become even more apparent. In response, both demand for greenhouse production and the volume of loans we’ve provided have increased.
To illustrate: we issued 2.3 billion Turkish Liras in greenhouse loans in 2020, 3.4 billion Turkish Liras in 2021, 6.9 billion Turkish Liras in 2022, 12.9 billion Turkish Liras in 2023, and 18.1 billion Turkish Liras in 2024. Over the past five years, our lending for greenhouses has grown nearly sevenfold. Of this total, 53% has gone toward investments, while 47% has been for operational expenses.”
In addition to Ziraat Bank’s credit programs, there are also grant opportunities available through the EU-backed IPARD Program and the Rural Development Investment Support Program.
Greenhouse investment and production must be strategically planned
Beyond the general overview, there are several key points about greenhouse cultivation that I believe deserve further attention. First and foremost, as in many other areas of agricultural production, there is a pressing need for strategic planning in greenhouse farming. Efficient use of resources is crucial.
When I visited Sandıklı in Afyon province in 2020, there were only 22 greenhouses, and the geothermal resources were being utilized very efficiently. Five years later, during the 2nd Greenhouse Investment Days, I learned that the number of greenhouses had risen to over 50. However, some of the investors and producers now report that the geothermal source is no longer sufficient, and problems are starting to arise. Without proper planning, some of the investments made today could face heating issues tomorrow—resulting in wasted resources.
Another critical issue is that greenhouse cultivation is expanding in Türkiye’s neighbouring regions as well. Countries such as Iran, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan are increasingly investing in greenhouses, creating significant competition. In fact, Türkiye has played a pioneering role in helping develop greenhouse infrastructure in some of these countries. Some now say, “We taught them greenhouse farming, and now they’ve become our competitors.” But even if we hadn’t taught them, they would have eventually learned it from somewhere. The advantage of our involvement is that we not only export greenhouse technology but can also establish cooperation that facilitates the marketing of their produce. This is essentially what people refer to when they talk about the "Dutch Miracle." With their technological capacity, expertise, and market access, Turkish greenhouse producers can not only market their own produce but also help distribute what is grown elsewhere.
Another current and important issue is the growing concern over pesticide residues. Because greenhouse production offers more controlled conditions, it has the potential to lead the way in “clean production.” What do buyers want? Residue-free, safe, affordable, standardized, and high-quality products. They also want a reliable and sustainable supply chain. Greenhouse production must evolve to meet these expectations.
In summary, while there are several challenges in the greenhouse sector, there are also significant opportunities. If Türkiye can capitalize on these opportunities, address the climate crisis, water scarcity, and pesticide residue concerns, it can make substantial progress in modern greenhouse cultivation. In doing so, the rising demand for food in an expanding population can be met under sustainable and suitable conditions.
Ali Ekber YILDIRIM
Writer on Agriculture at Ekonomi Newspaper
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