Turkish dried fruit exporters aim for $1.8 billion of foreign sales this year

Isik stated that 2023 is a difficult year for the sector and the country, that the earthquakes on February 6, centered in Kahramanmaras, also affected the apricot production regions, and that there were yield losses in other products due to rainfall imbalances. “There was a 25-30% yield deficiency in the crop in 2023. We experienced the same in grapes, apricots and figs. 70-75% of these products go to export. By gaining in value what we lost in quantity, we again reached the target figure of $1 billion 610 million. We have made figs, apricots and grapes leaders in the world. This is a success not only for our industry but also for our nation.”

Isik pointed out that the introduction of stocks created by the Soil Products Office (TMO) with the purchases made in the previous season had a significant impact on the increase in export revenue despite the decline in the crop, and said, “The crop from 2022 has become the lifeblood of this sector. This did not hold back our exports. If TMO had not accumulated this product and made the right purchase, we would not have been able to manage this process, we would have lost the market to others. Grapes, which were $1.5 last year, are now $2.5, figs are $8-10, and apricots are $7-8. The highest numbers in history were reached.”

Emphasizing that TMO’s regulatory duty should be continued by the market by establishing specialized stock exchanges and licensed warehouses, Isik said, “Our main goal in 2024 is to increase exports to $1 billion 800 million.”

Isik said that the sector exports the most to Germany, England, USA, France and Italy, and that they aim to grow in different markets by reducing the share of EU countries in total exports in the coming period.

“Inflation will be under control from now on”

Aegean Exporters’ Association Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi also gave information about the export programs carried out in the US and Chinese markets.

Asked about the effects of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye’s increase in policy interest to 45% on exports, Eskinazi stated that they do not expect this increase to be reflected in loan interest rates. Eskinazi said, “Loan interest rates continue with a system that protects exporters. They could not have increased the interest rate, they increased it as a safety measure. This was done to control inflation and narrow the domestic market a little more. I think inflation will be under control from now on. We will last until June.”