Turkey’s New Dried Fruit Exports Exceed $1.5B

Turkey’s dried fruit and product exports surpassed 1.5 billion dollars in 2021, marking a 12 percent increase. Dried figs, dried apricots, and raisins account for the lion’s share of 1 billion 574 million dollars in dried fruit exports.

Birol Celep, Chairman of the Aegean Dried Fruit Products Exporters’ Association, noted that they exported to 162 different countries. In 2021, they exported 427 million dollars’ worth of raisins, 95 percent of which came from the Aegean region. The association exported 349 million dollars to the top European trade partners, accounting for 81 percent of total exports.

Dried apricot exports increased by 31 percent last year and reached 348 million dollars. The target of this year is 450 million dollars. Moreover, dried fig exports were made to 112 countries and reached 263 million dollars with an increase of 11 percent.

“Germany, France, and the United States are the countries to which we export the most dried figs, with 37 million dollars, 36 million dollars, and 34 million dollars, respectively. By the end of the year, we want to export 300 million dollars’ worth of dried figs. In 2022, we will reach 1 billion 800 million dollars in dried fruits and products, and in 2023, we will reach 2 billion dollars ” said Celep.

Last year, pistachio exports were 209 million dollars, almond exports were 63 million dollars and pine nut exports were 42 million dollars. Roasted chickpeas were 17 million dollars, walnuts were 33 million dollars and other roasted fruits were 56 million dollars. These were followed by apricot and apricot kernels which were 17 million dollars and dried apples were 9 million dollars. Finally, dried plum exports were 2 million dollars and other dried fruits were 80 million dollars.

Dried Fruits in Turkey

Turkey is a one-of-a-kind country in the world for agricultural production, and its unrivaled competence in this area allows it to produce a wide range of agricultural products. Thus, except for a few tropical products, Turkey can produce practically any agricultural product on a huge scale.

In fact, dried fruits are one of Turkey’s most important agricultural areas, with the country ranking first in the world in terms of both production and export. Therefore, Turkish dried fruit exports and production are extraordinarily significant, and the country dominates global markets. Raisins (sultanas), dried apricots, and dried figs account for the majority of dried fruits produced in Turkey.

They are considered traditional Turkish agricultural export commodities due to their importance in agricultural exports. Other dried fruits produced and exported by Turkey include prunes, currants, dried apples, dried pears, dried mulberries, dried peaches, and so on.

Dried Fruits’ Importance in Nutrition and Health

Grapes, figs, and apricots are miracle fruits due to their composition, and they have long been revered as sacred fruits. Dried fruits are known as “nature’s candy” and are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. They contain no cholesterol, are high in vitamins and minerals, and are fat-free.

Moreover, dried fruits are high in fiber and antioxidants and are a good source of fiber. They are beneficial to human health and provide consumers with numerous nutritional benefits. Dried fruits, which include many of the important vitamins and minerals, have been discovered to be beneficial to a variety of human bodily processes.

Turkey’s Dried Fruit Exports

Turkey’s traditional agricultural exports include dried fruits. In fact, Turkey is the world’s largest exporter of dried fruits. Turkey exports approximately a quarter of the world’s dried fruit in terms of volume. Consequently, dried fruit exports, both in terms of quantity and value, have been steadily increasing year after year.

Furthermore, Turkey exports dried fruits to more than 130 nations across all five continents. Exports to European Union countries account for over 60% of total exports. In 2017, 45 percent of exports went to four countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United States. Aside from EU countries, Turkey’s dried fruits are exported to the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Russian Federation.

Turkish dried fruit exports are projected to expand in the future as their nutritional and therapeutic worth is better appreciated. Dried fruits are sorted by sophisticated laser sorters before being exported to ensure that no extraneous materials are present. Table selecting is done by trained quality control personnel according to the criteria of the buyers. Therefore, each package of dried fruits is subjected to stringent inspections to guarantee that it is free of mildew, bugs, and other flaws. In today’s international markets, Turkish dried fruits are noted for their superior quality and purity.

Turkish Goods Provides the Best Quality Dried Fruits

As Turkish Goods, with our integrated network of suppliers, we are able to provide our customers with premium dried fruits, picked specially from select producers in the country. We distribute the best products Turkey has to offer. You can get the best wholesale offer for dried fruits just in 48 hours, thanks to our attentive staff working 24/7 in 13 languages.