Ankara: Trkiye last year ranked seventh globally and first in Europe in agricultural output, the nation's agriculture and forestry minister said Monday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trkiye's agricultural sector has seen substantial growth over the years. In 2002, the country's agricultural output was valued at $24.5 billion, placing it 12th globally. However, by 2025, Trkiye advanced to seventh place worldwide and secured the top spot in Europe with an agricultural output worth $83.2 billion, as highlighted by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli during a lecture at the Social Sciences University of Ankara.

Yumakli addressed concerns regarding the decline of agriculture in Trkiye and the nation's reliance on imports, emphasizing that the country is self-sufficient in many crucial agricultural products. He noted that 206 plant products are commercially cultivated within Trkiye, although not all agricultural products grown globally can be produced domestically.

The minister underscored significant investments in irrigation infrastructure, revealing that the State Hydraulic Works has constructed over 120,000 kilometers (74,565 miles) of infrastructure since 2002, which is sufficient to encircle the globe three times. Additionally, Trkiye plants 500 million seeds and saplings annually, leading Europe in afforestation efforts. On a single day, November 11, 2025, 14 million seeds and saplings were planted across the nation.

Regarding Trkiye's forest-fire response capabilities, Yumakli stated that 28 aircraft and 119 helicopters were actively involved in firefighting operations last year, with 14 unmanned aerial vehicles providing monitoring support throughout the country.