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Canola, compared to other oilseeds such as sunflower, peanut, and soybean, takes place on the third place among the most planted oilseeds throughout the world.

Canola, due to containing 38-50% oil, 16-24% protein, being rich in oleic and linoleic acid amount, and its boiling point being high, is an essential oil crop plant. It is used for biodiesel production as well. In addition, its yellow flowers are important for beekeeping. Canola is the major plant to be planted for the development of livestock and beekeeping industry as well as to close the oil deficit in our country.

Canola, due to its wide temperature range and also because of having winter and summer forms, is an oil crop plant with a potential to be planted in wide areas in our country. In recent years, canola production, plantation and yield have increased gradually in Turkey. Canola (rapeseed) was produced in 2016 in an area of 354.530 decares as 125.000 tonnes. Canola yield per decare was 353 kg.

In Turkey, 67% of canola production is made in Thrace region. Canola planting in the region in 2016 was carried out in 256.255 decare field with a production of 84.075 tonnes. Canola yield was determined to be above average in Turkey with 356 kg/da.

Canola is an oil crop plant; however, in terms of vegetable oils, our country is in the position of being an explicit importer. Oil crop plant production meets only 40% of consumption. In this respect, every year billions of dollars are spent for importation. As of 2015, 3.5 billions of dollars were spent on oilseeds. However, this deficit can be closed through canola production. In this regard, in Thrace region where production of this plant is widespread, a special importance should be given to the production of canola, which is an alternative plant for the closure of oil deficit. It is necessary to reduce vegetable oil importation by increasing subsidies given for canola production in the region within the budget of basin-oriented subsidy. Thus, contribution will be provided to agriculture and economy of the both the region and the country. Therefore, it is necessary that canola be supported in our country and region, and agricultural policies be determined considering these matters.

In this research, the current situation and policies for canola production were evaluated, problems were analyzed, and solutions were offered regarding these problems.

Canola Production, Vegetable Oil, Agricultural Policies, Thrace Region