Dried Fruit and Hazelnut Exports: From World Leadership to Global Tables
Turkey: World Leader in Dried Fruits and Hazelnuts
Turkey holds an undisputed leadership position worldwide in dried fruit and tree nut exports. Ranking first in the world in hazelnut, dried apricot, and dried fig production, and second in raisins, Turkey generates a combined export value exceeding $5 billion from these four products alone.
The dried fruit and hazelnut sector is one of the highest value-added segments of Turkish agricultural exports. A natural drying tradition, favorable climatic conditions, a rich variety portfolio, and modern processing facilities make Turkey unrivaled in this field.
65% of the world's hazelnut consumption, 80% of dried apricot consumption, and 60% of dried fig consumption is supplied by Turkey. These figures clearly demonstrate Turkey's strategic importance in the sector.
Hazelnuts: Turkey's Golden Product
Production and Export Figures
Turkey single-handedly accounts for 65–70% of global hazelnut production.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual production | 650,000–800,000 tons (in-shell) |
| Kernel yield | 280,000–350,000 tons |
| Export volume | 250,000–300,000 tons (kernel) |
| Export value | $2.8+ billion |
| Hazelnut orchard area | 700,000+ hectares |
| Producer families | 400,000+ |
| World market share | 65–70% |
Production Regions
80% of Turkish hazelnuts are produced in the Black Sea Region:
- Ordu: Largest producing province, the symbol of Turkish hazelnuts
- Giresun: Famous for the "Tombul" variety, the highest quality hazelnut
- Trabzon: High production capacity
- Samsun: Growing production area
- Duzce/Sakarya: Western Black Sea production corridor
Hazelnut Varieties
| Variety | Characteristics | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tombul | Round, high fat content (62–64%), highest quality | Chocolate, premium |
| Sivri | Elongated, medium fat content | Chocolate, snacking |
| Kara | Dark shell, small | Industrial, cookies |
| Palaz | Large, round | Table, direct consumption |
| Cakildak | Small-medium, high yield | Industrial |
| Fosa | Large, uniform shape | Premium table |
Hazelnut Processing and Product Range
Modern hazelnut processing facilities in Turkey offer a wide product range:
Kernel products:
- Natural kernel
- Roasted kernel
- Blanched hazelnut
- Sliced hazelnut
- Diced/chopped hazelnut
- Hazelnut flour/powder
- Hazelnut paste
- Hazelnut oil
Distribution by end use:
- Chocolate and confectionery industry: 65%
- Bakery and pastry: 15%
- Direct consumption (snack): 10%
- Hazelnut oil and other: 10%
Key Export Markets
- Germany (18%): Europe's largest importer
- Italy (16%): Chocolate and confectionery industry (Ferrero)
- France (8%): Premium segment
- Canada (5%): Growing market
- Belgium (5%): Chocolate hub
- USA (4%): Competing with Oregon hazelnuts
- Russia (4%): Growing consumption
- China (3%): Newly opened large market
Dried Apricots: Malatya's Gift to the World
Production and Market
Turkey supplies 80–85% of the world's dried apricot production, with virtually all of it coming from the province of Malatya.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual production | 150,000–200,000 tons (dried) |
| Export volume | 90,000–120,000 tons |
| Export value | $750+ million |
| Apricot trees | 18+ million |
| World market share | 80–85% |
Dried Apricot Varieties
By processing method:
- Sulfured (SO2 treated): Bright orange color, standard export product
- Organic/Natural (sun-dried): Dark brown, sun-dried
- Unsulfured: Dark color, for health-conscious consumers
Size classification:
| Size | Count/kg | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | 60–80 | Premium table |
| No.1 | 80–100 | Table, premium |
| No.2 | 100–120 | Table |
| No.3 | 120–140 | Blends, industrial |
| No.4 | 140–160 | Industrial |
| Industrial | 160+ | Jam, marmalade, paste |
Key Markets
- EU countries (45%): Germany, UK, France leading
- USA (12%): Competing with California
- Russia (8%): Strong demand
- Australia (5%): Premium segment
- Japan (4%): Quality-focused
Dried Figs: The Sweet Heritage of the Aegean
Production and Market
Turkey holds the leading position in world dried fig production. The majority of production takes place in the Izmir and Aydin region, particularly in the Buyuk Menderes Valley.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual production | 60,000–80,000 tons (dried) |
| Export volume | 50,000–65,000 tons |
| Export value | $350+ million |
| World market share | 55–60% |
Sarilop Fig
Also known as "Aydin Fig," Sarilop is the most preferred variety in the world dried fig trade.
Characteristics:
- Light yellow-golden color
- Large size and uniform shape
- High sugar content
- Soft and flavorful texture
- Geographical indication registration
Quality Classification
| Quality | Size (count/kg) | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Extra | 50–60 | Excellent, large |
| No.1 | 60–80 | Very good |
| No.2 | 80–100 | Good |
| No.3 | 100–120 | Standard |
| No.4 | 120–140 | Industrial |
| Protoben | Various | Unprocessed, unpressed |
| Pulled (Lerida) | Various | Shaped after pressing |
Raisins: The Sultana Treasure of the Aegean
Production and Market
Turkey ranks 2nd in the world in seedless raisin production, behind the USA.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual production | 250,000–300,000 tons |
| Export volume | 180,000–220,000 tons |
| Export value | $500+ million |
| World market share | 25–30% |
Grape Varieties
- Sultana (Thompson Seedless): Most common, golden yellow, seedless
- Besni: Southeastern Anatolia, dark colored
- Seedless Razaki: Large berry
Quality Criteria
- Moisture content: ≤16%
- Sulfur dioxide: ≤2,000 ppm (sulfured), 0 (natural)
- Size: Classification based on count per 100g
- Color: Yellow-golden (sulfured), dark brown (natural)
- Cleanliness: Foreign matter, stem, seed control
Quality Standards and Safety
General Quality Requirements
Core standards to be met in dried fruit and hazelnut exports:
Aflatoxin Limits (EU regulation):
| Product | B1 (ug/kg) | Total (B1+B2+G1+G2) |
|---|---|---|
| Hazelnuts, direct consumption | 5.0 | 10.0 |
| Hazelnuts, processing | 8.0 | 15.0 |
| Dried figs | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| Dried apricots | 8.0 | 10.0 |
| Raisins | 8.0 | 10.0 |
Ochratoxin A Limits:
- Raisins: ≤10 ug/kg
- Other dried fruits: ≤8 ug/kg
Pesticide Residue Limits:
- Compliance with EU MRL (Maximum Residue Level) values is mandatory
- Product-specific limit values
Physical Quality:
- Moisture content
- Size and weight uniformity
- Foreign matter ratio
- Damaged/decayed product tolerance
- Insect damage control
Analysis and Testing Requirements
Mandatory and recommended analyses before export:
- Mycotoxin analysis: Aflatoxin, ochratoxin
- Pesticide residue analysis: Multi-residue screening
- Heavy metal analysis: Lead, cadmium
- Microbiological analysis: Total mesophilic, yeast-mold, Salmonella, E. coli
- Physical analysis: Moisture, foreign matter, size distribution
- SO2 analysis: For sulfured products
RASFF Notifications and Their Importance
The EU's Rapid Alert System (RASFF) tracks food safety issues. The most critical RASFF concerns for the Turkish dried fruit and hazelnut sector:
- Aflatoxin: Especially in hazelnuts and figs
- Ochratoxin: In raisins
- Pesticide residues: In all products
- Physical contamination: Foreign matter
Products flagged in RASFF can trigger tightened border controls on all exports from Turkey. Therefore, quality control is not just an individual company's responsibility but the entire sector's.
Buyer Acquisition Strategies
1. International Trade Fairs
Key trade fairs for the dried fruit and hazelnut sector:
Fairs in Turkey:
- Worldfood Istanbul: Turkey's largest food fair
- Anuga/ISM partner events: Exporters' association organizations
International fairs:
- Anuga (Cologne, Germany): World's largest food fair
- SIAL (Paris, France): Europe's second-largest food fair
- Gulfood (Dubai, UAE): Middle East's largest food fair
- INC Congress: International Nut and Dried Fruit Congress
- Fancy Food Show (USA): American gourmet food fair
- FOODEX (Tokyo, Japan): Asia's leading food fair
2. Exporters' Associations and Chambers of Commerce
- AEA (Aegean Exporters' Associations): Dried fruit and hazelnut sector associations
- DEIK (Foreign Economic Relations Board): Bilateral business councils
- Trade counselors: Turkish trade representatives in target countries
- Sectoral trade delegations: Organized buyer visits
3. Digital Marketing and Online Platforms
- Alibaba.com: Company profile on B2B platforms
- LinkedIn: Professional networking and content marketing
- Company website: Multilingual, SEO-optimized
- B2B email marketing: Targeted buyer outreach
- Trade portals: Food sector-specific platforms
4. Private Label and Co-Packing
- Private label production for European supermarket chains
- Co-packing (packaging under the customer's brand)
- Long-term contracts and guaranteed volume
- Lower marketing costs
5. Value-Added Product Development
Transitioning from raw material exports to processed product exports:
- Hazelnut paste, hazelnut milk, hazelnut flour
- Dried fruit bars and trail mixes
- Chocolate-coated dried fruits
- Granola and muesli blends
- Organic and premium-packaged products
- Trail mix and snack packs
Logistics and Storage
Storage Conditions
| Product | Temperature | Humidity | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazelnuts (kernel) | 0–4°C | ≤65% | 12–18 months |
| Dried apricots | 0–4°C | ≤65% | 12–24 months |
| Dried figs | 0–4°C | ≤65% | 12–18 months |
| Raisins | 0–4°C | ≤65% | 12–24 months |
Logistics Options
- Container (sea freight): 20' or 40' container, most economical
- Reefer container: Refrigerated, for sensitive products
- Air cargo: Urgent and small shipments
- Road freight: Intra-European deliveries
Conclusion
Turkey's dried fruit and hazelnut sector holds a unique position in world trade. With a 70% share in hazelnuts, 85% in dried apricots, and 60% in dried figs, Turkey effectively commands a natural monopoly in these products.
The sector's future depends on its capacity to shift toward value-added products, raise quality standards, explore new markets, and embrace digital transformation. The transition from raw material exports to branded product exports is the most critical strategic priority for the sector's sustainable growth.
At Toko Trading, we provide comprehensive services in dried fruit and hazelnut sourcing. We stand by you throughout the entire process, from supplier matching to quality control, from logistics to documentation.