The 2024–2025 citrus season has brought serious challenges for Turkish exporters, largely due to extreme weather conditions that have disrupted the natural rhythm of production, says Coskun Eren, marketing manager for Turkish fresh produce exporter Eren: "A prolonged summer followed by an unusually mild winter has negatively affected orchards along Turkey's Mediterranean coast, which accounts for most of the country's citrus supply. While total production has remained close to pre-season estimates, fruit quality has suffered, resulting in a higher proportion of standard and second-grade products. Rising input and operational costs have further complicated the season, placing added pressure on producers and exporters alike."
According to Eren, by late February, as unseasonal frosts hit the region, around 80% of the harvest had already been completed. "As some regions experienced a certain level of impact, we immediately shifted our sourcing to unaffected regions and orchards at different altitudes to maintain product availability and quality standards, ensuring that our export operations were not affected by these climatic events. Stone fruits also face challenging issues in our region. Early and mid-season peaches and nectarines, which bloomed early due to warmer temperatures, were particularly vulnerable to cold spells. Apricots and plums will show varying levels of response, depending on their altitude and bloom period. As an export company with over 30 years of experience, we have faced similar seasons in the past and possess the expertise to take necessary precautions."
"By utilizing pre- and post-harvest technologies for product evaluation and selection, both in the orchards and at our facility, along with access to a wide range of growers in the region, our highly experienced procurement teams ensure that we deliver high-quality products to international markets. Moreover, as these products are also grown in the western and northwestern regions of Turkey, where no climate-related issues have been reported, we are able to continue supplying high-quality produce. These are the regions where we have already been sourcing our fruit portfolio for quite long years with our expert teams, contracted growers and established facilities.
© Eren Tarim
Despite the difficult growing conditions, Turkey's citrus exports are expected to remain relatively stable, Eren explains: "Forecasts suggest that while total citrus production is down by 36% compared to last season, export volumes, particularly for oranges and lemons, are expected to remain close to previous levels. For mandarins and grapefruits, although production has dropped more sharply, exports are expected to only decrease by about 20%, thanks to strategic planning and adaptive supply management."
"At Eren, we anticipated many of these difficulties early on. By expanding our market reach and placing greater emphasis on quality, we've been able to continue fulfilling orders with minimal disruption. Our ability to respond quickly has allowed us to manage the season more smoothly than expected. While frost damage will require ongoing assessment into the spring, initial observations show that younger trees may need more time to recover. Mature trees are likely to bounce back more easily, and in some cases, re-flowering might partially make up for early losses, depending on weather and water conditions."
Shifting market dynamics have also reshaped the flow of citrus exports. Eren states: "In Russia, one of Turkey's largest citrus buyers, early-season shipments remained steady, but as the season progressed and availability decreased, Russia diversified its sources, increasing imports from countries like China. A similar pattern has been seen in Eastern Europe. For example, Ukraine imported 33,000 tons of Turkish mandarins in December 2024, a noticeable drop from 43,000 tons the year before. This decline has caused wholesale and retail prices to rise across the region."
In the Middle East, key markets such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia have also seen fluctuations in supply and pricing, Eren says. "These fluctuations have opened the door for competing suppliers like Egypt and Morocco to expand their presence, especially in Gulf countries, where proximity and cost are major advantages. These shifts highlight the growing competition in global citrus markets, particularly during challenging seasons like this one."
Looking at the broader picture, the global citrus industry has not been immune to similar challenges., Eren emphasizes: "Lower lemon production in the EU, unfavorable weather in several regions, and logistical problems, especially in routes like the Suez Canal, have all played a role in shaping a difficult season. Countries such as Egypt and Morocco have strengthened their market share due to cost advantages, particularly in Europe and Russia, where pricing heavily influences buying decisions. Meanwhile, late-season varieties have become more valuable as early crops suffered losses, increasing pressure on exporters to meet demand while maintaining high standards."
© Eren Tarim
"To stay competitive in this environment, exporters must remain agile, focus on quality, and continue developing new market opportunities. Turkey's strong reputation for citrus and stone fruit gives it an advantage, but success requires constant adaptation. At Eren, we remain focused on delivering high-quality fresh produce backed by thoughtful planning and dependable service," Eren concludes.
For more information:
Coskun Eren
Eren
Tel: +90 533 695 5802
Email: coskun@erentarim.com
www.freshanatolia.com