THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
Related Articles
Press release…
A workshop on dried figs was held in Türkiye’s western province of Aydın with the aim of developing the sustainable and competitive structure of the heavenly fruit, increasing its exports, and finding solutions to production and export-related problems.
Speaking at the ‘Dried Fig Workshop,’ Mehmet Ali Işık, Chair of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association, emphasised that Türkiye is a world leader in dried fig production and exports. Providing information on dried fig export figures, Işık stated, “As of 14 June, our dried fig exports for the 2024/25 season reached 53,890 tonnes, with the foreign exchange earnings increasing by 26 percent to 322 million dollars.”
Highlighting that the negative impact of climatic conditions on the 2024 dried fig production period and exports, stressing the importance of production and exports for the economy and food security, Işık said, “Europe remains a key market for dried fig exports, with a 46 percent share, alongside boosting exports to the United States. Efforts in the dried fig sector focus on achieving quality, food safety and sustainability goals, recognised with a sustainability award for the Sustainable Management of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Dried Figs Project. Türkiye’s comprehensive approach to aflatoxin management was praised as a global model during the INC congress. Despite stringent controls, some batches face issues in export markets due to undetectable moulds, ensuring only products complying with the Turkish Food Codex enter the country.”
Pointing out that in the 2024/2025 season, Türkiye, the world’s leading producer and exporter of figs, Fevzi Çondur, Head of the Aydın Commodity Exchange, explained, “We exported 53,621 tonnes of dried figs, with a significant portion coming from Aydın province, facilitated the trading of 68,138 tonnes of dried figs, with Aydın province accounting for a substantial share. The average selling price of dried figs at the exchange was 163 lira 4 kuruş.”
“To support Aydın exporters, a Type A warehouse was established, and free consultancy services are provided to enhance members’ expertise and competitiveness in branding and exports. The consultancy office has assisted 33 companies since 2023, aiding members in strengthening their position in both domestic and international markets through effective branding strategies and export efforts,” Çondur added.
“Additionally, Aydın Commodity Exchange supports the dried fig industry with services such as consultancy, warehouse facilities and expertise enhancement to strengthen exporters’ position in national and international markets,” Çondur concluded…
