Between June 1 and Aug. 15, Turkey's fresh grape exports rocketed 43%, according to Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association chairman, Hayrettin Uçak. This performance is expected to continue for the rest of the season. In this period, Turkey exported 61,000 tons of fresh grapes, generating around US$40.3 million. In the same period last year, Turkey exported 36,400 tons of fresh grapes. Sultani seedless grapes ranked first in varieties exports, with a value of $16.7 million, followed by superior grapes ($5.6 million) and Yalova pearl grapes ($2.2 million).

Turkey’s fresh produce exports have been given a sizeable boost this year by the end to the conflict with Russia. In the first four months of 2018, exports climbed 25% compared to the same period in 2017, reaching US$794 million, according to the Uludag Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association (UYMSIB). In volume terms, 1.6 million tons of fresh fruit and vegetables were exported, representing a rise of 17%.

Turkey’s agricultural output up

Turkey’s output of agricultural products rose in 2017. Fruit production was up 9.7%, to 21 million tons, while vegetable volumes grew by 4.2%, to 31 million tons. In terms of pulses, volumes produced of potatoes grew by 1.1%, to 4.8 million tons, chickpeas by 3.3%, to 470,000 tons, and broad beans increased by 9%, to around 7,000 tons. Meanwhile, output was up for other vegetable crops, too. Tomato production rose by 1.2% but green pepper and green bean production fell by 2.3% and 1.3% respectively.

Turkey’s organic food exports rose in value by 17% in 2017, according to the head of Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters’ Association (EKMİD), Birol Celep. “Turkey earned US$87 million last year in revenue from organic food exports to 68 countries,” said Celep on January 23. Export volumes of organics rose by 10% compared to the previous year, reaching 21,000 tons. Turkey’s main organic exports are raisins, dried figs, nuts and dried apricots.

Turkey is ranked eighth in the world for citrus production with a 2.7% share.  Citrus production in Turkey is 63% higher than domestic consumption. To improve production and capture new export markets, Turkish producers are searching for new varieties from other leading citrus producing countries. Top export destinations are Russia and Iraq, followed by Ukraine. Turkish citrus exporters would prefer more diversified export markets to avoid complications from any political tensions. Grapefruit exports stagnated in quantity and value in 2016/2017, while mandarin and lemon exports increased.

Turkey’s 2016 fruit crop is expected to be up 6.4% on last year, to 18.9 million tons, and its vegetable crop up 1.7% to 30.1 million tons, according to figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Among the fruits set for increased volumes relative to 2015 are:

Since January 2015, Turkey had exported to Russia food valued at $1 billion, or 4% of all Russia’s food imports, according to Russian Customs statistics.

The leading export products were tomatoes (292,800 t) and citrus fruit. Russia also imported grapes (68,000 t), peaches (26,000 t), apricots (28,800 t) and other fruit.

During the fruit season, the share of some Turkish products (for example, citrus) reached 50%.

Turkey is set for a good year (July 2015-June 2016) for apples and pears as production recovers – up 21% and 37% respectively – after a substantial drop the last year, says a recent USDA GAIN report. Apple production is expected to be 2.54 million tons and pear production 395,000 million tons.