ANKARA

The production and cultivation area of cannabis, one of the “strategic products” of Türkiye, is on the rise, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements and efforts by the Agriculture Ministry.

Cannabis production and other processes for its use in pharmaceuticals began under the supervision of the Turkish Grain Board.

Türkiye’s cannabis seed production soared about 70% year-on-year in 2024, reaching 556 tons, according to data from the TurkStat statistical bureau, compiled by Anadolu.

The country’s cannabis seed production was 273 tons in 2020.

While cannabis seed production followed a fluctuating course over the years, it totaled 1,335 tons in the last five years.

Hemp fiber production, made out of cannabis, was 9 tons in 2020, 21 tons in 2021, 31 tons in 2022 and 359 tons in 2023. The country’s hemp fiber production jumped 238.7% on an annual basis to 1,216 tons in 2024.

The cultivation area for hemp fiber rose from 101,000 square meters (1.08 square feet) in 2020 to 8,845,000 square meters in 2024.

Cannabis seed’s cultivation area in the country increased from 4,252,000 square meters in 2020 to 7,206,000 square meters last year.

A cannabis project is underway by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), universities, and the Turkish private sector to produce polymeric composite materials with thermoset and thermoplastic matrices, using flax (linen), hemp and nettle fibers as reinforcement in irrigation systems and drainage materials.

Another project in collaboration with TAGEM, the Scientific and Technological Research Institution (TUBITAK), and Ondokuz Mayis University in the northeastern province of Samsun, was initiated to develop two new cannabis species with low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, namely “Narli” and “Vezir” via hemp breeding in 2021. New studies are underway to develop species with high fiber content.

The Turkish private sector is also working to produce products with more hemp, especially in the textile and automotive sectors.