Big Export of Dried Fruits from Southeastern Anatolia

In the first six months of 2022, 165 million 97 thousand dollars of dried fruit exports were realized from the Southeastern Anatolia region. The highest dried fruit export was to Germany with 27 million 586 thousand dollars.

Mehmet Çıkmaz, President of the Southeast Anatolian Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association, made statements about the exports. He talked about the process that took place in the first six months of 2022. President Çıkmaz stated that in the first six months of 2022, the export amount of dried fruit in Turkey was 755 million 800 thousand dollars. On the other hand, about 165 million 97 thousand dollars of this export amount was realized from the Southeastern Anatolia Region.

Moreover, the dried fruit and products sector exported products to 149 countries and free zones in the January-June 2022 period. A total of 755 million 880 thousand dollars foreign exchange was obtained from this export.

Worldwide Demand for Dried Fruit Increases

President Çıkmaz announced that the most exported product of the dried fruit sector from Turkey was seedless grapes with 208 million 297 thousand dollars. The most exported product from the Southeastern Anatolia Region was pistachio with 72 million 549 thousand dollars. Finally, pistachio was followed by dried apricots with 61 million 226 thousand dollars.

Furthermore, in the first six months of 2022, the following products were exported from the Southeastern Anatolia region. Firstly, the most exported products are pistachios and dried apricots. In addition to these products, fruit varieties, dried figs and currant seeds, roasted chickpeas, walnuts, seedless raisins, almonds, and prunes were exported.

In the first half of 2022, Aegean Exporters’ Associations took first place in the export of dried fruit products. Exports from the Aegean Exporters’ Association amounted to 393 million 657 thousand dollars during this period. Moreover, Southeastern Anatolian Exporters’ Associations ranked second and the Association realized an export amount of 165 million 97 thousand dollars.

Germany Ranks First in Dried Fruit Export

“In the first six months of 2022, dried fruit exports of 71 million 359 thousand dollars were carried out to European Union member countries. Among the EU member states, Germany was the country with the highest amount of exports with 27 million 586 thousand dollars. Another EU member Italy follows Germany with 23 million 211 thousand dollars. Then, the USA with 15 million 593 thousand dollars. ” said Çakmak.

Favorite Products with the Most Exports

Moreover, president Çıkmaz made a statement that the exports in the dried fruit sector were increasing day by day. And also this sector has a very important contribution to the Turkish economy.

“We process dried fruits and products grown in Anatolia and send them all over the world. Grapes, apricots, and pistachios in the dried fruit category are our most demanded products. By preparing and selling these fruits, we contributed 755 million 880 thousand dollars to the Turkish economy in the first half of the year, and this makes us happy. Despite the problems experienced in the world economy, our sector exports continue to be well and successful. I believe that we will achieve results that exceed our 2022 targets by the end of the year.” said Çıkmaz.

Pistachio

Pistachio is one of the most consumed and exported nuts worldwide. The production of pistachio especially takes place in Gaziantep. In fact, Gaziantep is famous around the world for its pistachio and baklava made from pistachios. 

According to the data of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Association, 209 million 686 thousand dollars of pistachios were exported to 110 countries in 2021. In the first six months of 2022, 12 thousand 258 tons of pistachios with a value of 111 million 456 thousand dollars were exported to 91 countries. Furthermore, the countries where pistachios are exported the most are Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and Iraq, respectively.

Dried Apricots 

Dried apricot is a product with a geographical indication by the EU and has an important commercial input for Turkey. In the first six months of 2022, dried apricots were exported to 115 countries from Malatya, Turkey. These countries include the USA, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Canada. Dried apricots were exported 32 thousand 662 tons in the January-June period of 2022. The foreign exchange input obtained from this export was 167 million and 704 thousand dollars.

Dried Figs

Turkey ranks first in the world in the production and export of dried figs. Fig is one of the oldest fruits of Anatolia. In Turkey, figs are generally grown in the Mediterranean region and all the coastline. About 80% of dried fig production takes place in the Aegean Region.

Moreover, Turkey provides 66.5% of dried fig exports in the world. Dried figs constitute one of the important items of Turkey’s foreign trade. In addition, dried figs are very rich in nutritional value and are very beneficial to health. Also, in the 2021-2022 season, an income of 241 million dollars was obtained from dried fig exports.