In a significant uptick, Turkey's citrus exports surged by 23 percent in 2023, reaching a volume of 1.95 million tons, as reported by the Aegean Exporters' Associations. Hayrettin Uçak, at the helm of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, emphasized the commitment to exporting high-quality, vitamin C-rich produce globally. The country marked a milestone, exporting fresh fruits and vegetables worth nearly $3.5 billion, with citrus products constituting a 32 percent share. Tangerines led the citrus segment, generating $577 million in revenue, and emerging as the most sought-after fresh produce.
Uçak highlighted significant growth in other citrus exports as well, with lemons up by 30 percent at $355 million, oranges by 15 percent at $112 million, and grapefruits at $68 million. The Russian Federation remained the top importer of Turkish citrus, accounting for $428 million. Remarkably, exports to Iraq soared by 165 percent, reaching $181.5 million, while Ukraine stood third with $101 million. Other notable importers included Poland, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, and Moldova.
From the Aegean region alone, citrus exports totaled $50 million, with Russia, Ukraine, and Poland being the top destinations. Uçak also pointed out that western provinces such as Izmir, Mugla, Manisa, Aydin, and Denizli were key contributors to Turkey's position as a leading citrus exporter.
Source: hurriyetdailynews.com