Excess Pesticides Found in Local and Imported Produce
Routine weekly inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources have revealed pesticide residues above permissible limits in both imported and locally grown fruits and vegetables, including black grapes, watermelon, tomatoes, and lettuce. Two local producers’ crops were destroyed, and the harvesting of some products has been suspended pending further analysis.
According to the ministry’s statement, samples collected between 23 and 26 June 2025 were tested at the State Laboratory and evaluated according to European Union pesticide residue limits.
Among imported goods, 23 out of 24 samples were found to be within acceptable levels. However, a batch of black grapes (İlkeren variety) belonging to Halil Kasap Paz. contained excessive pesticide residue and was destroyed at the company’s request.
Out of 13 local produce samples, only 7 were deemed safe. Four samples exceeded legal pesticide limits, while two varieties of lettuce grown by Süleyman Bayır of Famagusta were found to contain unapproved pesticides. These products were also destroyed.
In addition, harvesting was halted for watermelons grown by Musa Kasap in Doğancı village, as well as for tomatoes cultivated by Gülizar Yıldırım in Tepebaşı, Gardena Tarım in Karşıyaka, and Elif Güven in Vadili, after the discovery of excessive pesticide residues. Harvesting will remain suspended until follow-up lab results are available.
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