The customs duties on sunflower seeds have been restructured.

The customs duty applied at 27% for oilseed sunflower seeds under the import regime has been reduced to 12%, while the customs duty that will be applied at 8% within the framework of the tariff quota has been revised to 0%.

TAXES VALID UNTIL MAY

In a written statement made by the Ministry of Trade, it was reported that a series of regulations were made regarding oilseed sunflower seeds to protect the harvest period and farmer income under Decision No. 8788 dated August 5, 2024. It was stated that, taking into account domestic and foreign market conditions, a tariff quota was opened for firms producing crude and refined sunflower oil in Turkey, primarily for those purchasing domestic sunflower seeds between July 1 and November 30, unless deemed necessary otherwise, valid until May 2025.

SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC SEEDS

In this context, it was stated that a tariff quota with a 20% customs duty for the import of crude sunflower oil and a customs duty of 8% for the import of 1 million tons of oilseed sunflower seeds, or the equivalent of 400 thousand tons, was provided. The statement included the following expressions: The fact that firms purchasing from our farmers will benefit primarily from imports and that this import will only be allowed during the months of January-April when domestic seeds will be exhausted in our country has allowed for the sale of domestic oilseed sunflower seeds at a good price during this year's harvest period, and it has been observed with satisfaction that the motivation for planting for the 2025-2026 season has been positively affected.

THE AIM IS TO DETERMINE REASONABLE PRICES

"On the other hand, the global decline in oilseed sunflower seed yield, the upward trend in world prices, and the changing structure of the industry due to industrialization have led to our vegetable oil producers and oilseed crushing industry firms experiencing difficulties in obtaining sunflower seeds, as foreign suppliers tend to sell crude oil rather than seeds. Therefore, it has become necessary to take the necessary measures to ensure that the industrialists and crushers can procure their required raw materials at reasonable prices both domestically and from foreign supplier countries during the harvest period, thus ensuring supply security and price stability in sunflower oil. The customs duty applied to the mentioned product has been rearranged to consider our farmers, industrialists, and end consumers."

TAX HAS BEEN ELIMINATED

In the statement, it was reported that the customs duty applied at 27% for oilseed sunflower seeds under the import regime has been reduced to 12%, and the customs duty that will be applied at 8% within the framework of the tariff quota opened by Decision No. 8788 has been renewed to 0%.