Sustainable Practices in Türkiye's Dried Fig Production

When it comes to dried fruit production, Türkiye is not just a world leader in terms of supply, it also sets a high bar in sustainability and food safety. Contributing 58% to the global dried fig market in 2022, the country's key production regions Aydın and İzmir, stand as exemplary cases of how sustainable practices can enhance product quality in the dried fig industry.

Türkiye's proactive approach to enforcing initiatives that help the industry is underscored by its emphasis on sustainability and innovative solutions. The government aims to take responsibility for eco-friendly production to ensure Türkiye's position in the fig industry.

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change plays an active role in waste management. Through the Ministry, Türkiye has transformed waste management challenges into an opportunity with Project Bio Fig. Every year, 500 to 600 tons of aflatoxin-contaminated figs are collected, which, if discarded, would generate greenhouse gasses like methane. Instead, these are processed in three biogas facilities designated by the government, contributing to substantial energy generation. This not only deals with waste but also produces renewable energy, illustrating the double benefits of this unique waste-to-energy model.

According to the Aydin region’s provincial government, 31% of Aydın figs are organic. As global demand for organic products has grown, Turkish producers have also been increasing their organic fig production. Organic farming practices and certification have become essential for entering certain markets, especially Europe and North America. Türkiye-based organic snacks brand Sunny Fruit is focusing on extending its functional dried fruits range, following the debut of its prebiotic- and probiotic-fortified products, with cracking the Chinese market as its number one priority.

Water scarcity is a pressing global issue, exacerbated by climate change. Project Aqua Save, initiated in 2018, aims to tackle this problem head-on. By 2022, the majority of farmers in Aydın and İzmir have shifted to drip irrigation systems. Government incentives under this program included several subsidies on installing drip irrigation systems, enticing even more farmers to make the switch. For example, within the framework of the “Rural Development Investments Support Program”, 50% grant support is available for the installation of irrigation systems.

The private sector isn't far behind in the sustainability race. Take the example of Suer Gida San, a major dried fig supplier in Turkey with a market share of 5.36% in 2022. Through its green initiatives, the company has converted a significant amount of its farmlands to organic agriculture.

Türkiye's approach to sustainability isn't just an example of good agriculture practice, but it is a comprehensive roadmap that integrates environmental consciousness at every step. From waste management and water conservation to organic farming and carbon footprint reduction, Türkiye has made sustainability not a choice but a necessity.

As global markets continue to demand both quality and eco-responsibility, Türkiye stands as a good example in the dried fig market that meets both industry standards. With its systematic and sustainable fig farming approach, Türkiye is not only a market leader but also a global role model in shaping a more sustainable and secure agricultural future.

For a detailed analysis of Türkiye's dried fig market and its sustainability practices, check out Dried Fig Report: Türkiye 2023.