Turkey’s Cannabis Boom: Strategic Growth Fueled by Innovation and Industry

Turkey is intensifying the production and cultivation of cannabis, now considered a “strategic product” at the national level. Supported by a clear political will, expressed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and concrete initiatives by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Turkish cannabis industry is experiencing rapid expansion, both in terms of quantity produced and cultivated areas.

According to official data released by TurkStat and analyzed by Anadolu Agency, cannabis seed production reached 556 tons in 2024, marking a 70% increase compared to the previous year. Over the five-year period (2020–2024), cumulative production exceeded 1,335 tons , demonstrating a structural upward trend.

At the same time, the production of hemp fiber in Turkey, used in sectors such as textiles, automotive and green building, has exploded: from just 9 tons in 2020 it has reached 1,216 tons in 2024 , with an annual increase of almost 239% . A result made possible by the expansion of cultivated surfaces: in 2020, the fields dedicated to hemp fiber covered just 101,000 m², while in 2024 it reached 8.8 million m².

The surface area dedicated to cannabis seeds has also grown steadily in Turkey: from 4.25 million m² in 2020 to 7.2 million m² in 2023 , consolidating interest in a plant that can have significant implications for agriculture, the economy and industry.

Scientific research and genetic innovation in Turkey

Turkey is not limiting itself to agricultural expansion alone, but is also focusing on research and innovation. The General Directorate for Agricultural Research and Policy ( TAGEM ), together with Ondokuz Mayis University and TUBITAK Scientific Research Center, has launched projects to develop new strains of cannabis with low THC content , in compliance with international regulations. The “ Narli ” and “ Vezir ” strains, created in 2021 through genetic crossbreeding, are the result of this strategy.

At the same time, the scientific and private sectors are working to obtain species with a high fiber content, ideal for industrial and technological applications, such as polymer composites used in irrigation systems and drainage materials. These projects exploit flax, nettle and hemp fibers to create lightweight, resistant and sustainable materials.

The role of the private sector

Turkey’s industry, especially in the textile and automotive sectors, is mobilizing to exploit the potential of cannabis. The natural fiber represents an environmentally friendly alternative to plastics, with potential for use in technical textiles , automotive components and pharmaceutical products .

Production supervision is entrusted to the Turkish Grain Board, which guarantees control of the supply chain and traceability of the product, in particular for the pharmaceutical uses of the plant.

Turkey therefore seems ready to become a regional point of reference in the cultivation and industrialization of legal cannabis, with a model that combines sustainability, innovation and economic valorization.

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(Featured image by Şinasi Müldür via Pexels)

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First published in Agenparl. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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