Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried (Shelled Kernel)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Turkey is a growing almond-producing country with production concentrated in Mediterranean and Aegean-climate provinces (notably Mersin, Adıyaman and Muğla/Datça) and additional output in several other regions. The Turkey market is trade-active but remains a net importer of shelled almonds, with imports exceeding exports in recent UN Comtrade-reported totals. Exports of shelled almond kernels are oriented toward nearby MENA/Eurasia markets (e.g., Libya, Iraq, Russia) and are sensitive to buyer requirements for food-safety compliance. For this product, aflatoxin control (testing, sorting/physical treatment, and traceability) is the most critical recurring market-access theme.
Market RoleNet importer with growing domestic production and regional export activity
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market supported by expanding orchard production and commercial trading/packing
Market GrowthGrowing (recent years through 2024/25 market outlooks)expanding production capacity alongside continued reliance on imports for steady demand
SeasonalityHarvest typically occurs in late summer to early autumn, with harvest timing varying by cultivar and ecology across producing provinces.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Datça almond types (e.g., Ak Badem, Nurlu; also noted local types such as Rüştü and Sıra in Datça references)
- Ferragnes
- Ferraduel
- Nonpareil
- Texas
Physical Attributes- Kernel integrity (whole vs. broken), absence of visible mold/damage, and post-harvest drying/handling quality are critical for export acceptance where aflatoxin risk controls are enforced.
Packaging- Bulk export-oriented lots and packaged retail formats are both used in Turkey’s nut trade channels (format and weights are buyer-specific).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Orchard harvest → hulling/drying → shelling/cracking → sorting/physical treatment → laboratory testing (market-dependent, commonly including mycotoxins) → packing → domestic distribution and/or export
Temperature- Moisture control and cool, dry storage are emphasized for quality preservation and mold/aflatoxin risk management in traded almond kernels.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination risk can trigger border rejections, recalls, or market bans for almond kernels in tightly regulated import markets; compliance depends on moisture control, sorting/physical treatment effectiveness, and reliable laboratory testing documentation.Implement preventive post-harvest drying and storage controls, run pre-shipment aflatoxin testing with accredited labs, and ship only lots with complete batch traceability and buyer-aligned certificates of analysis.
Climate MediumAlmond production is exposed to spring frost risk (early flowering) and increasing drought/heat stress in key producing regions, potentially reducing yields and raising quality defects.Diversify sourcing across provinces/ecologies and prioritize suppliers using late-blooming cultivars and documented orchard risk-management practices.
Labor And Human Rights MediumSeasonal agriculture in Turkey has documented child-labor risk in nut supply chains (notably hazelnuts), indicating a heightened due-diligence expectation for nut harvest labor practices that can extend to almond-orchard sourcing.Apply responsible sourcing requirements (age verification, safe recruitment, worker accommodation standards), audit labor intermediaries, and align remediation actions with credible frameworks and local programs.
Sustainability- Water stress and drought exposure in Mediterranean/Southeastern production areas can affect yield stability and kernel quality in orchard systems.
- Pesticide residue management and integrated pest management discipline are recurring buyer-audit themes for traded nuts.
Labor & Social- Seasonal agricultural labor risks (including documented child-labor concerns in Turkey’s hazelnut supply chain) elevate due-diligence expectations for nut-orchard sourcing and harvest labor practices.
- Migrant/refugee worker vulnerability in seasonal agriculture is a recognized context risk in Turkey, requiring supplier-level labor screening and remediation pathways.
Standards- HACCP
- BRCGS
- IFS Food
- ISO 22000
FAQ
Is Turkey a net importer or net exporter of shelled almond kernels?Turkey is a net importer in recent UN Comtrade-reported totals for shelled almonds (HS 080212): 2023 imports exceeded 2023 exports.
Which export markets are most prominent for Turkey’s shelled almond exports in recent data?Recent UN Comtrade-reported partner lists (via WITS) show exports concentrated in nearby markets such as Libya, Iraq and the Russian Federation (HS 080212, 2023).
What is the single biggest compliance risk for exporting raw almond kernels from Turkey?Aflatoxin compliance is the biggest recurring risk because maximum limits and official controls in major importing markets can lead to border rejection if lots fail testing or documentation is incomplete.