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German drugmaker Bayer decided to end operations at its crop protection products plant in Gebze, an industrial district in Türkiye’s northwestern province of Kocaeli, by the end of 2027, bringing six decades of production at the facility to a close.
In a statement, the company attributed the decision to changing market dynamics in the agricultural sector, competitive cost pressures and efficiency considerations. Bayer said its operations in Türkiye will continue, with supplies to farmers in Türkiye and relevant export markets remaining uninterrupted.
Bayer described the move as part of its strategy to make its crop protection production network across Europe, the Middle East and Africa more efficient and strengthen its competitiveness.
Production of all crop protection products currently formulated and filled at the Gebze facility will be transferred to other crop protection plants across the EMEA region, in line with Bayer's production network strategy and future portfolio needs.
The transition is intended to improve operational efficiency and better use production capacity while maintaining reliable, sustainable supplies across the region, including Türkiye, the company added. Bayer said it will provide full support to the 55 employees at the facility and will proceed transparently in line with applicable laws.
Bayer has maintained a presence in Türkiye for more than 70 years, while the Gebze plant has operated since 1966. Over the decades, the facility has contributed to the company's production and exports while supporting the local economy.
In 2025, the Gebze facility exported ₺440 million ($9 million) worth of crop protection products to 17 countries, according to Bayer. Beyond Gebze, Bayer's operations in Türkiye include its headquarters in Istanbul, an agricultural production facility in Mustafakemalpasa, Bursa, and an R&D center in Antalya.
Bayer reported €45.6 billion ($51.9 billion) in group sales in 2025, up 1.1% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. Crop Science remained its biggest business, bringing in €21.6 billion, followed by Pharmaceuticals at €17.8 billion and Consumer Health at €5.8 billion.
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