Aegean Fresh and Processed Produce Exports Reach $572 Million in 2026

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

IZMIR, TÜRKİYE — Aegean exporters increased shipments of fresh fruit, vegetables and processed products to $572 million in the first half of 2026, while preparing new market initiatives in East Asia.

Exports rose from $559 million in the January–June period of 2025 to $572 million in the same period of 2026, according to figures released by the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association.

The association plans to accelerate its market diversification strategy through a trade mission to Japan and South Korea in November. Exporters are also awaiting a decision from Chinese authorities that could allow Turkish cherry shipments to resume.

First-half exports rise to $572 million

Aegean fresh fruit and vegetable exporters recorded an increase of approximately 2% during the first six months of 2026 despite global economic uncertainty and continuing logistics challenges.

Cengiz Balık, chair of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, said the increase reflected the resilience of the sector and the efforts of its members.

Balık said exports in the first half of 2025 totalled $559 million before reaching $572 million during the corresponding period of 2026.

The association represents companies exporting a broad range of products, from citrus fruits, cherries, figs and grapes to tomato products, pickles, canned vegetables and fruit juices.

Balık said more than 100 fresh and processed agricultural products originating from the Aegean region were being delivered to international markets.

The export figures include both fresh fruit and vegetables and processed products, allowing the sector to benefit from different harvest periods, consumer demands and market conditions.

Exports reached 128 countries in 2025

The association’s members exported fresh fruit, vegetables and processed products worth $1.231 billion to 128 countries in 2025.

Balık described 2025 as a successful year for the sector and said the association maintained its position as the leading exporter of plant-based products in the Aegean region.

According to Balık, association members accounted for approximately one-fifth of Türkiye’s total exports of fresh fruit, vegetables and related processed products.

“The results clearly demonstrate the productivity of the Aegean region and the global competitiveness of our members,” Balık said.

He thanked producers, exporters and other participants in the supply chain for their contribution to the performance.

The sector’s broad product range reduces its dependence on a single crop. Fresh produce shipments are supported by processed items with longer shelf lives, such as dried tomatoes, pickles, canned vegetables and apple juice.

This structure also enables exporters to reach both nearby European destinations and more distant markets where logistics, storage and product durability are particularly important.

Cherries, tomatoes and mandarins lead fresh produce exports

Cherries, tomatoes, mandarins and peaches were the leading products in the fresh fruit and vegetable category during the first half of 2026.

Balık said the quality of Turkish cherries and the diversity of their export markets had helped make the product increasingly sought after by international buyers.

Cherry exports are especially important to Türkiye’s efforts to enter high-value markets because the fruit requires strict quality controls, reliable cold-chain logistics and rapid delivery.

In the processed fruit and vegetable category, dried tomatoes, gherkin pickles, pepper pickles, canned vegetables and apple juice were among the leading export products.

Processed goods can provide exporters with greater flexibility because they are less dependent on the short marketing periods associated with fresh produce.

They can also be transported over longer distances and sold throughout the year, supporting the sector’s plans to expand in North America and East Asia.

Balık said the combination of fresh and processed products allowed the association’s members to respond to different consumer preferences and distribution structures.

Germany and the United States among the leading markets

Germany, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands ranked as the five leading destinations for the association’s exports.

Balık said the figures showed that exporters were maintaining a strong position in traditional markets while also establishing a more permanent presence in destinations outside Europe.

Germany remains a significant market because of its large consumer base, established retail sector and demand for Turkish agricultural products.

The United States is also an important target for processed products and branded food exports, although the greater distance requires more complex logistics and marketing operations.

To diversify its markets, the association has increased its participation in trade fairs and buyer delegations. Activities continued throughout 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.

Under an international competitiveness development project known as UR-GE, the association organised trade missions to the United Kingdom, Norway and Canada.

It also promoted Turkish food products in the United States through the Turkish Tastes Turquality project, which aims to introduce Turkish products to buyers and consumers in selected international markets.

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Trade mission planned for Japan and South Korea

The association’s next market development initiative will focus on Japan and South Korea, two countries with high purchasing power and strong demand for quality food products.

A sectoral trade mission is scheduled to take place between 20 and 29 November 2026.

Participating exporters are expected to hold bilateral meetings with potential buyers and introduce their products to importers and distributors in the two countries.

Balık said the mission was intended to help association members establish direct commercial contacts and improve the visibility of Turkish products.

“We believe that creating a permanent presence in Far Eastern markets is an inseparable part of our sector’s long-term growth strategy,” he said.

Japan and South Korea have strict food safety, traceability, packaging and quality requirements. Accessing these markets therefore requires exporters to meet detailed technical standards and develop relationships with local buyers.

The association expects its members to present both fresh and processed goods during the mission, depending on market access conditions and buyer demand.

Balık described East Asia as an important part of the sector’s future expansion strategy rather than a short-term sales opportunity.

Exporters await renewed access to China’s cherry market

The association is also monitoring efforts to restart Turkish cherry exports to China.

A technical delegation from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China visited Türkiye between 22 and 28 June 2026.

According to Balık, the delegation inspected cherry orchards, packing facilities and centres where cold-treatment and fumigation procedures are carried out.

Turkish officials and sector representatives presented the traceability system covering the journey of cherries from orchards to consumers, along with food safety and pest-control procedures.

Chinese authorities are expected to evaluate the delegation’s report before deciding whether to permit cherry imports from Türkiye again.

Balık said the reopening of the Chinese market could create a major new opportunity for Turkish cherries.

He stated that China imports approximately 600,000 tonnes of cherries annually and described the country as the world’s largest cherry import market.

“We believe that a positive outcome to this process will open an entirely new horizon for Turkish cherries,” Balık said.

Access to China would provide Turkish exporters with an additional high-volume destination, but shipments would still depend on compliance with Chinese plant health rules, treatment procedures and approved export protocols.

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Far East expansion becomes part of long-term strategy

The sector’s planned activities in Japan, South Korea and China reflect a broader effort to reduce reliance on a limited number of traditional markets.

European countries are expected to remain central to Aegean agricultural exports, but exporters are seeking opportunities in markets with higher purchasing power and demand for premium products.

Balık said trade missions, international promotional projects and negotiations over market access would remain important instruments in this strategy.

The association is also seeking to strengthen the position of its members by promoting traceability, food safety and product quality.

Balık said the first-half performance was the result of cooperation across the agricultural supply chain.

He thanked producers, exporters, association employees, Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and other institutions involved in the sector.

The association expects market diversification, processed product exports and potential renewed access to China to support growth during the remainder of 2026 and in subsequent years.

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