Mushrooms and truffles market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled mushrooms and truffles in Turkey demonstrated consistent expansion, growing from 45 thousand tons in 2018 to over 71 thousand tons by 2023. This upward trajectory was initially underpinned by a marked consumer shift towards fresh and natural food products, which heightened demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further amplified this trend, as health concerns led to increased consumption of natural foods.

From 2022, direct state intervention became a primary growth driver. The Forest General Directorate implemented the 2022-2026 Truffle Forest Action Plan, targeting the establishment of truffle forests across 1,212 hectares. Concurrently, an extensive inventory study identified a utilization potential of 4,500 tons from state forests, and training programs for sustainable wild collection were rolled out to thousands of people, directly boosting domestic production capabilities and market supply.

Subsequent development saw the spread of controlled truffle cultivation, particularly in the forested regions of the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea. Market offerings diversified with growing demand for various product forms like truffle oil and salt. The regulatory framework was solidified in 2024 with the issuance of Circular No. 7319, which formally authorized and regulated the collection and sale of specific truffle species from state forests, providing further structure for the industry's growth.

Production mushrooms and truffles Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Turkey was among the world's leading producers of mushrooms and truffles from 2017 to 2020, ranking 16th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

World map of production of mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

Turkey's production of mushrooms and truffles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 55 455 tons, marking a 12.3% year-over-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 35.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports mushrooms and truffles to Turkey

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, mushroom and truffle volumes leaving Turkey totaled 306 tons, which is 45.5% lower than in 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 353 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 58.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 148.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's exports of mushrooms and truffles in kind were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Romania accounted for 19.2% of exports, Bulgaria for 16.9%, and Germany for 13.1%, with these three countries together representing only 49.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Turkey's exports of mushrooms and truffles in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 871 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 64.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 69.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 406 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 68.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of Turkey's exports in value terms remained scattered. France accounted for 18.4% of exports, Italy for 12.1%, and Romania for 11.8%, with these three partners together representing just 42.3% of total flows, and no single country stood out as clearly dominant.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports mushrooms and truffles in Turkey

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, Turkey's imports of mushrooms and truffles in kind totaled 5 tons, showing a strong drop of 20.0% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—Bulgaria and Iran—together accounted for 88.7% of Turkey's total imports in kind, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Turkey imported 19 thousand US dollars worth of mushrooms and truffles, down by 59.7% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria accounted for 45.2% of Turkey's imports in value terms, China for 26.0%, and Iran for 18.9%, forming the core of imports and together taking 90.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020