Turkey: 2 billion TL contribution to the economy from laurel plant

Since 2016, Turkey's General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) has implemented the 'Laurel Action Plan' to revitalize laurel plants across 26,000 decares, significantly boosting the plant's productivity and economic value. The laurel, a key essential oil plant with potential in international trade, contributed 175 million TL to forest villagers and 1.85 billion TL to the national economy in 2021. The economy is projected to benefit further with an anticipated contribution of 190 million TL to forest villagers and 2 billion TL to the country's economy in 2022, based on the expected production of 52,000 tons of laurel. Turkey, being the world's leading supplier, expects a substantial increase in its laurel production, from 3,500 tons in 2003 to 45,200 tons in 2021, with a total of 90,000 tons of usable laurel available annually from 180,000 hectares of forest land. This surge in production is supported by a threefold increase in the number and capacities of processing facilities, with laurel being exported to numerous countries, primarily contributing to the economy through its use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industries.