The Spice Exports of the Aegean Region Surge

Spices are frequently used in kitchens, which make the food not only delicious but also healthier. The Aegean Region of Turkey has become the opening to the world for special and delicious spices that give flavor to the food. In the first half of 2022, Turkey exported $105.7 million worth of spices. Most of these exports, worth $67 million, were provided by exporters who are members of the Aegean Exporters’ Association (EIB). 

Spice exports from the Aegean region increased by 3 percent in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021. Briefly, spice exports, which were 64.8 million dollars in 2021, increased to 67 million 58 thousand dollars in 2022. Members of Aegean Exporters’ Associations delivered rich spice varieties such as thyme, black cumin, laurel, sumac, cumin, linden, and sage around the world in 2022. These spices, served from the Aegean to the world, continue to flavor world cuisine. 

The use of spices that give flavor to foods is increasing day by day around the world. Nurettin Tarakçıoğlu is the Vice Chairman of the Aegean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters’ Association. He announced that Turkey’s spice exports in the first half of 2022 amounted to 105 million 778 thousand dollars. Furthermore, Tarakçığlu added that 64% of these exports were made by exporters members of Aegean Exporters’ Associations.

New Target: 1 Million Dollar Spice Export

In order to increase the recognition and export of Turkish food products in the US market, the TURQUALITY project has been carried out for four years by the Aegean Exporters’ Associations. Tarakçıoğlu underlined the importance of this project and explained its details and goals.

The most important aim of this project is to introduce Turkish spices to the world market and to increase the export volume. “The focus point of the project is the USA because the use of spices is more common in the USA. The project aims to produce environmentally friendly products that meet accountability and sustainability conditions. The most important aim of the project is to increase the export of Turkish spices produced based on accountability and sustainability on a regular basis. Finally, it is to increase the spice export, which is currently in the range of 200-250 million dollars per year, to 1 billion dollars,” said Tarakçığlu.

European Spice Union General Assembly to Convene in Bodrum

Spice exporters under the umbrella of Aegean Exporters’ Associations are part of the Aegean Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters’ Association and the Aegean Cereals Pulses Oilseeds Exporters Association. These two exporters’ associations are preparing to host the European Spice Union General Assembly on 5-8 October 2022 in Bodrum. 

Muhammet Öztürk is the president of the Aegean Cereals Pulses Oilseeds and Products Exporters’ Association. He made a written statement about this important committee. Öztürk stated that Turkey would host the general assembly of the European Spice Union after 12 years. The 250 business people who shape the spice industry in Europe will come together in Turkey. Thanks to this organization, the connections and business relations to be established can contribute to the increase of Turkey’s spice export amount.

Leading Products: Laurel and Thyme

Öztürk explained that the leading products in Turkey’s spice exports were thyme and laurel. Additionally, Öztürk shared information on the size of income from exports of other spices.

31 million dollars was obtained from the export of thyme and 24.5 million dollars from the export of bay leaves. They exported 5.1 million dollars of sage, 4.8 million dollars of cumin and 3.5 million dollars of rosemary. Moreover, they exported 2.5 million dollars of sumac, 2.3 million dollars of licorice root, 1.5 million dollars of anise, and 1.1 million dollars’ worth of black cumin.

In the first half of 2022, spices were exported to 144 countries from Turkey. The USA, Germany, and China are among the top three countries. Spice exports to the USA, which ranks first, were 13 million 370 thousand dollars. Secondly, Germany demanded 11 million 634 thousand dollars worth of spices from Turkey. Finally, Turkey’s spice exports to China were 10 million 122 thousand dollars. 

Turkey continues to add flavor to world cuisine with its rich variety of spices. Thanks to its sustainable and controllable production, Turkey succeeds in increasing its export volume of spices every year. The most substantial contribution to Turkey’s spice export is undoubtedly by the members of Aegean Exporters’ Associations.