New regulations published by the Ministry of Trade introduce stricter capacity, capital, and structural criteria for grain, pulse, and oilseed licensed warehousing operations. The rules set a 35,000-ton minimum capacity and 20 million TL minimum paid-in capital, while restricting horizontal storage for most grains.
The Ministry of Trade has revised the regulatory framework for licensed warehousing in the grain, pulse, and oilseeds sectors through two amending communiqués published in the Official Gazette on August 14, 2026. Under the updated provisions, each individual warehouse facility operated by licensed warehousing companies—both at headquarters and branch locations—must meet an absolute minimum capacity threshold of 35,000 metric tons. Alongside higher capacity baselines, the ministry established a tiered minimum paid-in capital structure, requiring 20 million TL for capacities up to 35,000 tons, 30 million TL for 35,001 to 70,000 tons, 40 million TL for 70,001 to 110,000 tons, and an additional 5 million TL for every incremental 30,000 tons beyond 110,000 tons.
MINIMUM 10 STEEL SILOS REQUIRED FOR NEW FACILITIES
Physical criteria for storage infrastructure have been significantly tightened under the new rules. Going forward, licensed warehousing businesses operating in the grain, pulse, and oilseed sectors must feature a minimum of 10 steel silos within their facility grounds. However, to protect existing investments, companies that received establishment or branch opening permits from the Ministry prior to the entry into force of the communiqué will be exempt from this 10-silo mandate.
BAN ON HORIZONTAL WAREHOUSES FOR GRAIN STORAGE
The regulation also introduces a major structural change regarding warehouse types. Licensed warehousing facilities operating in the grain product group will no longer be permitted to construct horizontal warehouses, with paddy rice remaining the sole exception to this restriction. Existing licensed operators that obtained permits before the publication date are exempted from this horizontal storage ban, ensuring that active operations will not be affected.
TRANSITION TIMELINES FOR EXISTING OPERATORS
The Ministry has outlined specific transitional provisions to allow current operators time to adapt to the new framework. Existing licensed warehousing companies whose capital falls short of the newly established thresholds are given until December 31, 2028, to complete their capital increases. Furthermore, active operators wishing to expand their capacity to the new 35,000-ton threshold can apply to the General Directorate within three months of the publication date, regardless of their district location.
The regulatory shift marks a broader effort to scale up infrastructure, improve operational integrity, and elevate capital adequacy across Turkey’s agricultural storage and supply chain network.