Starting, sustaining and selling organic food: producer-level insights into the multi-stage challenges of organic agriculture in Türkiye

OpenAlex English

Purpose This study aims to examine the current state of organic agricultural production in Türkiye, a major global agricultural producer committed to global sustainability goals. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative case study approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with nine certified organic producers to investigate the multi-stage challenges they encounter. The analysis focuses on three themes: contextual contingencies, requisites and practices. Key categories emerging from the Turkish context include consumer awareness and perception, market conditions and context, initiative and motivational process, knowledge and training context, social organization and cooperativism, institutional and certification challenge, transition to organic production context, financial context, production context and labour and cost context. Findings High costs and capital requirements limit the scalability of organic farming, and investing in organic agriculture is challenging due to low demand. Additionally, the underdeveloped supply chain structures further hinder market expansion. By highlighting the producer perspective, this study offers valuable insights into the barriers and enablers of organic agriculture in Türkiye. Originality/value It contributes to a more grounded understanding of how organic agriculture can be supported and scaled in emerging market contexts and identifies critical areas for policy attention and stakeholder action. We introduced the concept of value-based production.