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Press release…
October, 2026…
Satsuma tangerines are on the market…
It is export season for the satsuma, the most popular variety of tangerine, which is a rich source of vitamin C during the autumn and winter months, acts as a shield against the common cold and is prized for its aroma, thin skin and seedless nature. The export season for satsuma tangerines began on 19 October 2026.
To mark the start of the Satsuma tangerine export season, a “Satsuma Tangerine Harvest Ceremony” was held in the town of Gümüldür in Izmir province, which is internationally renowned for its Satsuma tangerines.
Cengiz Balık, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, stated that Türkiye earned 912 million dollars in foreign exchange from tangerine exports in 2025, that tangerines are the leading product in fresh fruit and vegetable exports and that they will strive to ensure the 2026 mandarin harvest is exported in a value-added manner.
Emphasising that they expect a 10–20 percent surge in the tangerine harvest for the 2026 season, Balık said, “The Aegean’s satsuma tangerines are setting off on their export journey today for the new season. We wish our producers and exporters a prosperous season.”
Noting that tangerine exports generate 912 million dollars in foreign exchange and form a broad economic chain stretching from producers to packing houses and from the logistics sector to export firms, Balık continued: “In tangerine exports in 2025, Iraq ranked first with exports worth 360 million dollars, whilst the Russian Federation came second with 313 million dollars. Ukraine, with 72 million dollars, Poland, with 23 million dollars and Serbia, with 19 million dollars in tangerine exports, were among the other prominent markets. Our priorities for the new season will be full compliance with residue regulations, the widespread adoption of good agricultural practices, the seamless execution of customs procedures and the timely and reliable delivery of products to international buyers.”
The “Satsuma Tangerine Harvest Ceremony” was attended by Muhammet Öztürk, Coordinating Chairman of the Aegean Exporters’ Associations; Ufuk Atakan Demir, Chairman of the Aegean Seafood and Animal Products Exporters’ Association; Cengiz Balık, Chairman of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association; Hayrettin Uçak, Chairman of the Turkish Fruit and Vegetable Products Sector Council; Sadık Demircan, Board Member of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association; Recep Çöpten, Member of the Supervisory Board and local producers.
Stating that, as the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, they are working to enhance exporters’ competitiveness, Balık added, “We aim to create new opportunities in the European, Gulf and Far East markets through international trade fairs, trade delegations and promotional activities.”
