The primary sector which constitutes the economic structure of Samsun is agricultural sector. In company with agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism have an important place in economic structure. Agricultural products which have a great influence on the city economics are wheat, tobacco, corn, sun flower, sugar beet, hazelnut, rice in the husk, and vegetables. Bafra and Çarşamba savannas which are important places for agriculture of city, have 122.410 –hectare- agricultural area in total. Vegetables which are grown in this area (tomatoes, peppers, melons, water melons) firstly, fill the needs of the region; and then, they are marketed through out the country.

In addition to that; our city which has a great potential with its seaways, highways and airways and its closeness to Commonwealth of Independent States and to Turkic Republics, could not record a desired improvement in industrial sector. 55.6% of the valued added by manufacturing industry of Samsun is from public sector, and 44.4% of the value added is from private sector.

Samsun is the biggest metropole city of East Black Sea Region. Its commercial and industrial lives are very dynamic due to its population density. Especially, after the year 1980, in order to increase the level of employment which had declined in the city; small industrial sites were established both in the city and its counties, and employment tended towards small organizations which have an intensive amount of capital. Besides these, industrial zones are about to make significant contributions. The most important productions which are being produced by the manufacturing industry in Samsun and its neighborhood are cement, fertilizer, copper, artificial jute, car spare part, pumps in different sizes, furnishings and textile products, iron, confection, drugs and medical materials. In addition to big and middle size firms, in small size firms, furnaces, plastic PVC plants, agricultural machines and materials, copper products, reinforcing irons, plastic bags, different types of confectionery, jam, and industrial type kitchen wares are being produced in a labor intensive way.

Animal husbandry in Samsun is completely towards sustenance of the families.

Role of tourism in Samsun’s economy is small. However; there are a lot of historical and touristic places which are worth to see both in the city center and counties and villages. In the summer, people can make a good use of the sea and sand; in the winter, hunting tourism can be arranged.