Press release…
The second meeting of the Aegean Exporters‘ Associations Business World Meetings series, in which the Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EIB) travels from province to province to explain the ‘Responsible Support Programme’ and other state aids implemented by the Ministry of Trade to comply with the European Union Green Deal legislation, was hosted by the Aydın Commodity Exchange.

Bedri Girit, Chair the of Aegean Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters’ Association, said that Aydın province is the first in Türkiye in the production of dried figs, chestnuts, olive oil and celery, which are considered sacred in all heavenly religions and defined as the fruit of paradise.
“Strawberry, artichoke, citrus, cowpea and tangerine are in second place. It is the third largest producer of cotton and table olives. We can clearly say that Aydın is one of our regions that feeds our country in agricultural terms. According to the data on the provinces of activity announced by the Ministry of Trade, we see that Aydın’s exports are much higher with 1.8 billion dollars. According to Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM) data, the dried fruit sector exported 195 million dollars with an increase of 16 percent, while the mining sector exported 181 million dollars with an increase of 7 percent and the automotive industry exported 133 million dollars. The countries that stand out in Aydın’s exports are Italy, USA and Spain,” he said.

“I would like to briefly inform you about the performance of exports of fisheries and animal products, which is my own sector. In 2024, Türkiye’s overall exports of fisheries and animal products surged by 11 percent to 3.8 billion dollars. EIB’s share is 1.7 billion dollars with a rise of 12 percent. We are the largest in Europe in sea bream and sea bass, the second largest in Europe in trout. We are the second largest country in world honey production. We are the world’s largest in pine honey,” he added.
Pointing out that with the member meetings they organise in the provinces where EIB provides services, he concluded, “We aim to improve our relations with our members, to inform them about the services and supports we offer, as well as to determine the expectations and demands of the export community in Aydın. As EIB, we want to support the business community in this region in their export-oriented activities and create a strong export ecosystem.”