Sakarya: A Major Production Hub in Agriculture and Livestock

In the past, Sakarya served as a key supply center meeting Istanbul’s demand for agricultural, livestock, and forest products for many years.At the beginning of the 1900s, when Sakarya had a population of around 30,000, in addition to the various agricultural products grown in its plains, activities such as silkworm farming and silk fabric production, copper and lead mining, tile production, and flour milling were prominent industries. Thanks to its favorable climate and fertile soil, Sakarya continues to be one of Turkey’s major production centers, rich in agricultural and livestock diversity.

In the Adapazarı plains, which are among the most fertile agricultural lands in Turkey, a wide range of crops are cultivated—primarily corn, along with wheat, sugar beet, potatoes, and sunflowers. In addition, vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, watermelon, melon, and green beans are widely grown. Beyond these, Sakarya is one of the cities with rich potential for diverse agricultural production, where many other crops can be easily cultivated. Fruit farming is also an intensively pursued activity in the province. Among the most commonly produced fruits are hazelnuts, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, quinces, and cherries.

In recent years, the share of outdoor ornamental plant production in the province’s agricultural output has been rapidly increasing. Major organic agricultural products grown in the region include hazelnuts, walnuts, cherries, pears, persimmons, kiwis, and various vegetables.

Sakarya is the only region in the Marmara area that benefits from a microclimate effect. Agricultural lands make up 49% of the province's total area, and these lands have high yield potential. Currently, Sakarya ranks among Turkey’s most important provinces for the production of hazelnuts and quinces.

Sakarya also holds strong potential in the production and diversification of agriculture-based industrial products. Since the 1980s, the food sector—particularly dairy and poultry production—has seen significant investment. Investments in poultry meat production have further accelerated other agriculture-based industrial ventures in the region.All producers in this sector have achieved rapid growth by making major investments that improve production technologies and enhance competitiveness. Sakarya’s central location among surrounding provinces has facilitated the collection, storage, processing, and utilization of milk produced both locally and in neighboring areas, contributing significantly to the development of the dairy industry in the region.