Excellent Quality and Improved Volume of Apples in Türkiye Bolster Export Growth

Published 2022년 12월 30일

Türkiye apple production for the 2022/23 season is estimated to reach 4.77M MT, while exports are expected to amount to 420,000 MT, a record high. Along with record production, excellent quality is expected due to favorable weather conditions, constant agricultural technology improvement, and the implementation of new apple varieties. Turkish producers focus on red and sweet apples, like Starkrimson, Scarlet Spur, and Red Chief, due to increasing demand from Middle Eastern countries. India has been the top export destination for Turkish apples for two consecutive years.

Türkiye’s production of apples is anticipated to reach record levels in 2022/23 of 4.77M MT due to favorable growing conditions and continuous efforts to increase yields in the orchards. The wholesale price of Gala apples in W36 stood at USD 0.78/kg, while Red Delicious apples from the Isparta region were of excellent quality and 90% coloration, according to Tridge Engagement Managers in Türkiye, with the majority destined to markets of India, Russia, and Arab countries.

Almost all prominent Turkish apple-producing regions, like Niğde, Kayseri, Isparta, Karaman, and Giresun, reported increased quantities of apples. Starking, Golden, Amasya, and Granny Smith remain the most important exporting variates, even though Turkish farmers are investing more and more in new cultivars and producing techniques. The increase of red and sweet varieties, including Starkrimson, Scarlet Spur, and Red Chief, is also noticeable due to growing demand from Middle Eastern countries.

Share of Export Destinations of Fresh Apple from Türkiye in 2021

Source: Tridge

India was the most important market for Turkish apple traders in 2021, with a 37.9% market share and a total export value of USD 67.74M. India also showed the most substantial growth from 2016-2021, with a 4698.42% increase in export value. India has been the top export destination for Turkish apples for two consecutive years. This year, the first containers of Turkish Royal Gala apples arrived in India in W38 with a price of USD 33.17-34.40 per 18 kg box. After Gala apples, traders prefer the Red Delicious apple variety, with the first shipments at the beginning of November. Iraq, Syria, Russia, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates accompany India as Türkiye's most important export destinations.

Türkiye’s apple export has seen constant and weighty growth, from 201,181 MT in 2017 to 354,560 MT in 2021, an 76.24% growth in volume. Despite slower demand in December, expectations are that a record export volume of 420,000 MT in the 2022/23 season will be achieved.