Turkish dried fruit exporters target lost markets as 2026 crop outlook improves
Turkey’s dried fruit industry expects better raisin, fig and apricot crops after frost and adverse weather reduced last year’s harvest. Exporters are targeting about $2 billion in sales and aim to restore raisin shipments to roughly 250,000 tonnes.
Crop recovery supports a $2 billion target
Turkey’s dried fruit exporters are seeking to recover customers lost during last year’s weak harvest, with improved weather raising expectations for larger and better-quality crops of seedless raisins, dried figs and dried apricots. Industry representatives expect output in all three categories to approach long-term averages and forecast dried fruit exports of about $2 billion this season.
According to Haberler.com, agricultural frost and unfavorable climatic conditions caused a particularly severe production loss in apricots last year. Raisin and fig yields and quality also fell below expectations. The supply contraction reduced export volumes and left Turkish suppliers unable to meet some customer demand, prompting buyers to source from other producing countries.
Şemsettin Özgür, chairman of the Turkish Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Associations Sector Board, said higher prices allowed the industry to maintain revenue near previous levels even as physical export volumes declined. He cautioned that agricultural output was not guaranteed until products entered storage, but said the current crop outlook was favorable.
Raisin exporters seek a return to 250,000 tonnes
Raisins are central to the industry’s recovery plan. Özgür said Turkey had previously exported around 250,000 tonnes in a typical year and approached 280,000-290,000 tonnes in its strongest seasons. Restoring shipments to about 250,000 tonnes this year would be considered a success, particularly because customers have become accustomed to buying raisins from competing origins over the past three years.
The challenge extends beyond producing enough fruit. Exporters must persuade buyers that Turkish suppliers can again provide reliable volumes while preserving product value. The sector has accelerated advertising, promotion and marketing activities to support that effort. Özgür said Turkey retains leading global status in dried fruit, backed by established infrastructure and industry experience.
Weather improves quality and supply expectations
The more optimistic forecast follows favorable winter and spring rainfall, an absence of damaging weather during the products’ development period and temperatures close to seasonal norms. Yusuf Gabay, chairman of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association, said Turkey had received substantial rainfall and avoided agricultural frost, supporting expectations for a good-quality crop.
Gabay said the larger harvest gives producers and exporters an opportunity to regain competitiveness, introduce Turkish products in new markets and increase shipment volumes without sacrificing value. He set a goal of raising exports by at least 15%-20%. For processors and traders, the expected recovery should improve raw-material availability after a season of restricted supply, but the industry’s market-share ambitions will still depend on final harvested volumes, consistent quality and its ability to win back buyers that established alternative supply relationships.
