Fresh fruit and vegetable exports from Turkey’s Western Mediterranean region — covering Antalya, Isparta and Burdur — to more than 100 countries surpassed $630 million in the first 8.5 months of the year.
Antalya, a leader in greenhouse farming, benefits from year-round production and a wide variety of crops, both of which have boosted the region’s export figures.
Mehmet Ali Can, head of the Western Mediterranean Exporters’ Association (BAİB), said the region’s total exports had surpassed $2.1 billion as of September 15 this year, with a significant share coming from the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.
Noting that fresh produce exports had already exceeded $630 million this year, Can said, “If this continues, we could surpass the $1 billion mark in fresh fruit and vegetables for the first time this year. That would be very significant for our region. Last year, our fresh fruit and vegetable sector closed with exports of around $750 million. Our target is $1 billion for this sector and $3 billion across all sectors. If we keep this pace, we’ll hit those targets.”
Can said the region holds significant potential in fresh fruit and vegetable production, which has had a positive effect on exports.
BAİB accounts for 25% of Turkey’s fresh produce exports
Can said the association accounts for roughly 25% of Turkey’s total fresh fruit and vegetable exports, noting that it ranks first nationally in vegetable exports specifically.
He said peppers remain the top export product in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, with pepper exports abroad reaching $200 million, up 34% from the previous year.
Can emphasized that the sector ships products to more than 100 countries, particularly across Europe as well as Russia.
He noted that only surplus production beyond domestic consumption is exported, saying, “Nationally, we export around 8% of total annual production. Exports don’t play much of a role in market price fluctuations.”
